'Tough game': Eddie Howe reflects on what might have been for Newcastle after narrow defeat

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe feels hard done by having lost 1-0 to Borussia Dortmund tonight.

A bad day at the office, or just one of those nights? However you look at it, Newcastle can probably call themselves unlucky tonight.

In the first half Dortmund created the best chances and probably deserved their 1-0 lead going into the break, although Anthony Gordon could have had the Magpies in the lead earlier on but fired straight at the 'keeper.

Things looked better in the second half for Newcastle

The second half was almost all Newcastle in terms of possession, but a goal just never looked on the cards.

Once Callum Wilson missed the golden opportunity to bring the game level, it just became apparent that it wasn't going to be Newcastle's night. The Magpies went on to hit the bar twice which just summed up the night.

After the game Eddie Howe caught up with TNT Sports to deliver his verdict on things where he also said that his side didn't deserve to lose.

"It was a tough game for us. In the first half, we were off where we needed to be, tactically they were good; gave us a problem in the central areas. We were a bit loose in possession, highlighted by the goal we conceded, really."

"In the second half we were a lot better. It was just a case of would ball go in for us, but unfortunately it didn't."

The Dortmund goal led a charmed life it seemed, but so too did a few of their players.

The referee had a shocking game

Callum Wilson should have won a free-kick on the edge of the area after he literally had his pants pulled down in front of the ref, but for whatever reason the official chose to ignore it. The ref seemed to have a habit of that, and in fairness, it went against both sides.

We need to put this defeat behind us and move on ASAP, which will be easier said than done as it now looks like we're going to be without Alexander Isak and Jacob Murphy for a while as well as Sandro Tonali.

It never rains but it pours - which is an apt metaphor given the weather tonight.