Newcastle 4-1 PSG: What Were The Main Talking Points As The Magpies Claim A Famous Champions League Upset At St. James’ Park?

In what will long be remembered as an all-time Champions League classic on Wednesday night, Newcastle romped their way to a stunning 4-1 win against French giants PSG.

Backed by an emotional and vocal home support at St. James’ Park, Eddie Howe’s side put in a famous performance in the north east and will now be believing that they can punch a knockout stage ticket.

Watching Miguel Almiron send a packed St. James’ into overdrive as the Paraguayan international slotted home in the 17th minute, Newcastle certainly ran rampant as the hometown duo of Dan Burn and Sean Longstaff got in on the act on either side of the half-time break.

While Lucas Hernandez might have notched nothing more than a consolation strike for PSG 11 minutes after the restart, Luis Enrqiue’s men failed to make any kind of impact and didn’t deserve to leave the north east with anything to show for their efforts.

With Fabian Schar putting in the cherry on top of the cake in injury-time as the Swiss international produced a stunning whipped effort from the edge of the box, Wednesday’s showdown at St. James’ will go down as one of Newcastle’s most iconic nights.

Picking up a famous Champions League scalp in their first European contest on home soil in two decades, we have taken a look at the main talking points from Wednesday’s thriller.

Newcastle can punch a knockout stage ticket

While Newcastle might have opened their Champions League return tipped as an outside contender to find a route out of Group F, the Magpies will now be believing that they can spring a major upset this year.

Bursting back onto the European stage for the first time in two decades and impressing many as they opened their Champions League adventure with a 0-0 draw away at AC Milan last month, Howe’s side certainly find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high.

Gaining a string of plaudits last season as they claimed a famous top-four return, the former Bournemouth boss has seen his squad lay down an early marker.

Putting in a famous performance here and enjoying one of the most iconic nights in their storied history, Howe’s side have now won each of their previous four appearances across all competitions and they are riding a remarkable wave of momentum.

Picking up four points from their opening two Champions League appearances and still yet to suffer a single defeat among Europe’s elite, people won’t be betting against Newcastle to cause a few more heavyweight upsets this season.

Pressure already mounting on Enrique

While there might have been plenty of excitement within PSG’s camp when they welcomed Enrique to the French capital over the summer, the former Spain boss has failed to find any kind of fluidity since arriving at Princes Park.

While Wednesday’s guests might have opened their Champions League adventure with a 2-0 victory against German giants Borussia Dortmund back on September 19th, Les Parisiens came crashing back down to earth in a spectacular fashion here.

Failing to pick up any real momentum last weekend as they eventually had to settle for a 0-0 stalemate away at Clermont, there has been growing speculation that Enrique has mounting pressure on his shoulders.

Despite only being a handful of games into his tenure with the French heavyweights, PSG currently find themselves sat outside the Ligue 1 top-four and they have won just a quarter of their first nine appearances across all fronts.

Knowing that they face a huge public backlash when they return to Prices Park, PSG still appear some way off getting their hands on a maiden Champions League crown.

The Magpies can cause any of Europe’s elite issues

While Newcastle might have continued to impress many with their defensive resolve since returning from September’s international break, fans around the north east will be most excited by their side’s free-scoring performances in the final third.

Putting in a famous display here and hitting the Champions League contenders for four, Howe’s side have quickly gained a reputation for their clinical edge in front of goal.

Making even more history back on September 24th as they claimed a remarkable 8-0 romp away at Premier League returners Sheffield United, the Magpies have notched 15 strikes in just their previous four victories across all competitions.

Watching the whole of Howe’s squad chip in with goals both on the European and domestic stage, Newcastle’s performance on Wednesday night would have certainly been heard across the continent.

Looking to keep up their recent purple patch and make up some ground in the top-four chase, Newcastle will be next seen when they travel to West Ham on Sunday afternoon.

Match Report

Newcastle: Pope, Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Burn, Longstaff, Guimaraes, Tonali, Gordon, Isak, Almiron

Subs: Targett, Murphy, Anderson

PSG: Donnarumma, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Skriniar, Hernandez, Zaire-Emery, Ugarte, Dembele, Mbappe, Kolo Muani, Ramos

Subs: Barcola, Vitnha

Goals: Newcastle: Almiron (17’), Burn (39’), Longstaff (50’), Schar (90+3’) – PSG: Hernandez (56’)

Yellow Cards: Newcastle: Pope, Guimaraes, Gordon – PSG: Hernandez, Hakimi, Dembele, Zaire-Emery

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Istvan Kovacs