Newcastle vs Borussia Dortmund LIVE: Champions League result and reaction after Anthony Gordon hits bar
Newcastle 0-1 Borussia Dortmund: Eddie Howe’s side hit the bar twice but suffered the first defeat of their Champions League return
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Felix Nmecha dented Newcastle United’s Champions League charge as Borussia Dortmund kick-started their Group F campaign with a 1-0 victory on Tyneside.
The Germany midfielder’s 45th-minute strike clinched victory at a rain-soaked St James’ Park on a night when three more points for Eddie Howe’s men, who twice hit the crossbar late on, would have left them with one foot in the last-16.
They will now head into tough away games in Dortmund and against Paris Saint-Germain next month with serious work to do to extend their stay in the competition.
And they will possibly have to do it without midfielder Sandro Tonali, who was used as a second-half substitute amid speculation he could be handed a lengthy ban for alleged breaches of betting rules.
Memories of Newcastle’s 4-1 demolition of PSG earlier this month faded as last season’s Bundesliga runners-up produced an accomplished away display to remind them that the race for qualification from Group F has a long way to go.
Follow the reaction below plus get the latest odds and tips for Newcastle vs Borussia Dortmund right here:
Newcastle given Champions League reality check as summer decision returns to haunt them
After the euphoric evisceration of Paris Saint-Germain, this was the downbeat sequel Newcastle did not want. After the feelgood stories of the Geordie boys scoring in the Champions Leaguecame a tale of gritty realism, of meeting their match in the teeming Tyneside rain. There was no triumphant farewell to Sandro Tonali, either: instead Newcastle lost to a goal by a midfielder they considered signing in the summer, in Felix Nmecha, and who Borussia Dortmund bought instead. With Tonali likely to be banned for the rest of the season, Nmecha gave Newcastle an added reason to rue their choice.
Nmecha was handed what seemed an unenviable task, hired from Wolfsburg, charged with replacing Jude Bellingham at the Signal Iduna Park. And if that feels impossible, his first Dortmund goal kickstarted their European campaign. Edin Terzic’s team had failed to find the net in their opening two games and if they looked possible casualties in the competition’s group of death, now the possibility looms larger that Newcastle will be instead. The margins were narrow, the width of the woodwork that denied Callum Wilson and Anthony Gordon but Dortmund inflicted their first defeat in this competition since Barcelona in 2003.
Now Newcastle will head into the rematch in Germany without Tonali. If his debut season in England ends early, it also came to an anti-climactic conclusion. The Italian came off the bench with 25 minutes to go, making scant difference to a game Dortmund were already controlling.
By Richard Jolly at St James’ Park
Newcastle given reality check as summer decision returns to haunt them
Newcastle 0-1 Borussia Dortmund: Eddie Howe’s side were brilliant against PSG last time out but now have work to do to reach the last-16 after losing at home
Newcastle player ratings as Callum Wilson struggles as Alexander Isak replacement
Newcastle suffered a home Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund at St James’ Park, in a result that blew Group F wide open.
After an exhilarating opening spell where Anthony Gordon forced visiting goalkeeper Gregor Kobel into two saves, Dortmund took a deserved lead when Felix Nmecha guided a precise finish into the corner on the counter-attack.
Newcastle struggled to create chances after half-time, with Callum Wilson wasting the best of them with a shot that was straight at goalkeeper Kobel.
Wilson then struck the bar with a late header before Gordon’s deflected effort also hit the bar in stoppage time - but Eddie Howe’s side were unable to find an equaliser.
The defeat leaves Newcastle in third place in Group F behind Paris Saint-Germain and Dortmund, who will host the Premier League side in the return fixture in two weeks’ time.
Here are how the Newcastle players rated in the 1-0 defeat.
Newcastle player ratings as Callum Wilson struggles as Alexander Isak replacement
Newcastle 0-1 Borussia Dortmund: Anthony Gordon was the brightest spark but the hosts failed to seriously threaten the German side after going behind
Eddie Howe provides update on Alexander Isak and Jacob Murphy injuries after Borussia Dortmund defeat
Newcastle forward Alexander Isak suffered a recurrence of a groin injury in Wednesday’s Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund, while Eddie Howe confirmed Jacob Murphy also dislocated his shoulder in what was a double blow for the Magpies.
Dortmund inflicted Newcastle’s first Champions League defeat of the season at St James’ Park but the “more disappointing” issue for Howe were the injuries to key players Isak and Murphy, who both departed the pitch early after picking up knocks.
Newcastle are also set to lose Sandro Tonali to a lengthy ban after the Italian was found to have broken betting rules, leaving Howe with a reduced squad heading into a crucial run of fixtures in both Europe and the Premier League.
Howe provides update on Isak and Murphy injuries after Dortmund defeat
The Newcastle duo are set of spells on the sidelines as their team suffered a first defeat in the Champions League this season
FT Newcastle 0-1 Borussia Dortmund
Former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer gave his reaction to BBC Radio 5 Live saying: “You can’t say it was a fluke, Dortmund might have been lucky once or twice in the last 10 minutes when it hit the bar but they defended so well.
“They have played Newcastle really well and played the crowd really well. They were such a threat on the break.
“If Newcastle are honest then I think they’ll accept they didn’t deserve anything from the game.”
FT Newcastle 0-1 Borussia Dortmund
The defeat drops them down to third in Group F with PSG, who defeated AC Milan in the other match of the night, moving to the top spot and Dortmund jumping from fourth to second.
Full-time! Newcastle 0-1 Borussia Dortmund
90+4 mins: Newcastle strike the woodwork again, right at the end of the match but it’s not enough to get themselves an equaliser.
They’ve suffered their first defeat in the Champions League this season on a wet and rainy net at St. James’ Park as Borussia Dortmund inflicted a 1-0 loss on Eddie Howe’s side.
An opening 15 minutes of blistering action saw Nick Pope called into action on multiple occasions including a double save to deny Donyell Malen and Niclas Fullkrug. At the other end of the pitch Anthony Gordon provided the biggest threat for the hosts but Gregor Kobel was steadfast between the sticks.
Felix Nmecha broke the deadlock just before the half-time break, guiding home a lovely finish from inside the area to complete a flowing move from the visitors.
Newcastle had to manage a couple of injuries, one to Alexander Isak and one to Jacob Murphy as they increased the tempo in the second half. Dortmund where disciplined and despite the Magpies twice hitting the woodwork they managed to hold out for the win.
Newcastle 0-1 Borussia Dortmund
90 mins: Four minutes of added time to play.
Another free kick for Newcastle is smoked at goal but Gregor Kobel is up to the task and palms the ball out for a throw in deep in his own half.
Can Newcastle get this equaliser?
Newcastle 0-1 Borussia Dortmund
87 mins: Off the bar! Newcastle win themselves a free kick that Matt Targett swings into the box from the left side of the pitch. The cross picks out Callum Wilson who nods the ball towards goal and rattles the woodwork!
Big chance but the ball doesn’t dip enough to sneak under the crossbar.
Newcastle 0-1 Borussia Dortmund
84 mins: Jamaal Lascelles takes a shot for Newcastle and sees it blocked. The ball rebounds out to Miguel Almiron who flicks it across to Callum Wilson.
Wilson nods the ball down and there’s a loud shout for handball but it struck the defender on the shoulder and VAR doesn’t overturn the on field decision of no penalty.
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