‘Sign Mbappe as backup’- Fans react as Newcastle United bludgeons past PSG in St. James’ Park show on European night

Was this in the making? Yes, it was. Newcastle United has come of age. It is on track to regain its lost glory. With a historic win over PSG, Newcastle United has sent shockwaves across Europe. Eddie Howe is doing something that was unthinkable a couple of seasons ago.

St. James’ Park was ready to host a European giant after a long wait. Since the 2002-03 season, Newcastle fans have been waiting to enter the European arena. In the first match of group stage Newcastle held AC Milan at their home. This result gave them massive confidence to come out in their own backyard and put up a strong challenge to the French champions.

United started with almost the same side that Howe fielded against Burnley last week in the Premier League except for Sandro Tonali, who found a place in the starting lineup against PSG. St. James’ Park was buzzing with anticipation when the team walked out. The Champions League fever was at its peak. Newcastle started with Pope in the goal and the back four of Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, and Burn. Longstaff, Guimares, and Tonali made up the midfield with Almiron, Isak, and Gordon in the front three. On the other hand, Enrique went with a different formation. Donnarumma between the post and shielding him was a defense of Hernandez, Skriniar, Marquinhos, and Hakimi. Zaire-Emery and Ugarte formed the double pivot in the midfield with Kolo Muani, Mbappe, and Dembele in the three behind Goncalo Ramos as the striker.

Famous night at St. James’ Park

In the 17^th minute, PSG skipper Marquinhos made a blunder when he was trying to chip the ball in order to negotiate the aggressive press from Newcastle. His aerial ball was intercepted by Bruno Guimaraes. Guimaraes’ headed interception fell to Isak who took the shot which was blocked by Donnarumma but Miguel Almiron pounced on the rebound and gave the lead to Newcastle United as the stadium went into a frenzy.

Before the halftime, Newcastle got a freekick. Trippier’s freekick created chaos in the final third and they doubled their lead courtesy of a header from Dan Burn which just went into the goal. At halftime, United had an unprecedented comfortable lead.

Within the initial five minutes of the second half, Sean Longstaff banged in the third goal from a narrow angle which gave a little time to Donnarumma to adjust. The shot ricocheted off the goalkeeper and went into the goal.

PSG gained some ground and shortly one goal was pulled back by Lucas Hernandez to give them a hope of comeback as the match still had around 34 minutes left in the regulation time. However, PSG could not breach the Newcastle defense any further.

Their hopes of any possible comeback were shattered by Fabian Schar in injury time with a scintillating shot from distance, outside of the box. His thunderous strike capped off a magical performance from the men in black and white. This historical European night is just a sign of things to come as Newcastle United are ready to show their might under the stewardship of Eddie Howe. They will face the German side Borussia Dortmund in the next UCL fixture whereas PSG will lock horns with AC Milan at their home to bring their campaign back on track. The group of death is actually living up to the hype and the fans are all pumped up to witness the madness unfold.

Look at how the fans have reacted: 

Shearer was the last Newcastle player to score in the champions league for Newcastle before tonight and he was an all-time great striker.

— mark a. (@markanthony0501) October 4, 2023

Lucky….4-1…aye that’s lucky.

— Gordon Bloomfield (@GordonBloomfie3) October 4, 2023

LUCKY

MBAPPE BIGGER THAN YOUR CLUB

— FA (@Frankie_Mufc) October 4, 2023

Kylian Mbedbug highlights vs Newcastlepic.twitter.com/QkJ6Rb8f3V

— Kay | Snapchat & IG Ads (@Emini_Sir_Kay) October 4, 2023

It's crazy how people thought Newcastle United couldn't get out of this "group of death." We're actually the best team here. We did it guys, good game. 🤍🖤 pic.twitter.com/G0VZdxDjGD

— FELIX (@FellMentKE) October 4, 2023

You have to keep your cool or tables might turn

— Farouk Ganiyu (@FaroukUTDD) October 4, 2023

Isn’t it funny how three of the goal scorers were all playing under Bruce but couldn’t get a game? And the other scorer in burn probably our least glamorous since the takeover. Yet we still hear how Bruce was hard done by and a great coach. Give over!

— Matthew McGahey (@_MatthewMcGahey) October 4, 2023

What a night for Newcastle congrats 🖤🤍👏🏻

— Stephen (@Stephen__NHS) October 4, 2023