Eddie Howe greets ‘Gutsy Display’ after the fall from Newcastle to Barcelona in the Champions League

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe praised his team’s “Gutsy Display” after the Magpies fell to a 2-1 defeat against Barcelona in the Champions League in St James’ Park on Thursday.

Marcus Rashford, loaned to Barça de Manchester United, marked an excellent second half’s splint before Anthony Gordon drew a late in what was an exciting meeting in Tyneside.

Gordon’s strike, ultimately, turned out to be a little more than consolation, but for big spells, the hosts have ahead of their Catalan opponents, who lacked the teenage star Lamine Yamal by an injury.

And the boss of the Magpies was quick to recognize the efforts of his players, but added that these occasions were only really special with a victory.

“I think we were really in the match, I didn’t think we’ve never left,” Howwe told TNT Sports.

“I am disappointed that we did not score the first goal of the match, I think it was crucial this evening, on reflection and we were likely to do it in the first half.

“I thought it was a really quite good and courageous display on our part, perhaps missing this little quality to make us win.