Newcastle United unlucky not to avoid Champions League play-off after 1-1 draw against reigning champions
Newcastle United suffered a nightmare start at the Parc des Princes tonight but weathered an early storm to pick up a point in the final league game of the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain.
The referee wasted no time in telling us what we were up against as once again, PSG were awarded a controversial penalty against Newcastle for a ridiculous handball decision.
Lewis Miley was adjudged to have deliberately handled the ball in the area in the first minute, and the referee and VAR opted to ignore the fact that the ball only made contact with Miley's arm because it bounced off Bradley Barcola's arm first.
Justice was served, though, when Ousmane Dembele's penalty was saved by Nick Pope. Unfortunately, the joy was short-lived as former Wolves player Vitinha hit an absolute peach from outside the area after the Newcastle defence had been pulled in every direction.
We would love to know what weapons-grade glue the referee had been sniffing
As if the referee's decision to award PSG a penalty in the opening minute wasn't mental enough, he then gave a free kick to Newcastle after Anthony Elanga was fouled by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but put the Newcastle winger's name into the book.
We were honestly amazed that the ref could keep up with the play with all that Qatari money weighing down his pockets.
He then ignored a Marquinhos handball, which was about as much of a penalty as the Lewis Miley one was, that is to say, not at all, but if you give one, you have to give the other.
Joe Willock had his best game in years for Newcastle tonight
Still, Newcastle weren't to be dispirited by the glue-sniffing official and Joe Willock, who we've given a hard time this season, popped up in first-half stoppage time with a goal that pulled the Magpies level.
Willock had the ball in the back of the net again in the second half, but it was rightly ruled out for offside. We can't just mention Willock scoring twice without saying just how good he was tonight overall. Where has this Willock been for the last three years?
Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes were introduced as second-half substitutes, and their running had PSG on the ropes. The French champions' defence was panicked all night as their goalkeeper, Matfel Safonov, was almost as dodgy as the referee.
Harvey Barnes was desperately unlucky not to snatch a win and automatic progression for Newcastle
Barnes had a couple of opportunities to snatch a win late on, but Safanov saved his one good moment for near the end, saving a powerful Barnes effort before the former Leicester man had another attempt in the dying minutes that just didn't come down for him at the right time, and it spun off the outside of his foot and into the side netting.
The draw means both sides now face two extra games via the play-offs, which neither really wanted, but we're still in the competition.
We have to give props to Eddie Howe. We questioned his team selection tonight, but he got it right. Everyone who played a part tonight can feel very proud to come away with a point against the 12 men of PSG!
