Newcastle United were eliminated from European competition on Wednesday night.
AC Milan came from behind to beat Newcastle at St James’ Park, punishing Eddie Howe’s side as they were pushing for a winner to keep their Champions League dream alive.
It was a sour end to what has been a valiant effort in this most difficult of group stages. The thrashing of Paris Saint-Germain seems like an awfully long time ago now.
Still, Howe’s side have not embarrassed themselves this season. Far from it, in fact.
Despite an injury crisis, they took PSG all the way in Paris and were only undone by a controversial penalty call. In the home game against Borussia Dortmund, they hit the bar late on.
This competition, however, is ruthless. But that does not mean this team have not done the fans proud.
Indeed, that was evident at full-time.
Champions League: What Newcastle fans were singing at full-time after AC Milan beat team
According to The Chronicle’s LIVE blog (21.57 GMT on 13/12/2023), the home supporters were serenading the team even after they were beaten.
“Who’s that team we call United” rings around the ground, along with a bit of Sam Fender,” they wrote.
“The fans have done their bit tonight. The players look absolutely gutted.”
Newcastle fans remain the best thing about the club
The fans remain the core of the club.
That may sound somewhat cliched but after a major-money takeover and rapid-fire progress, it’s fantastic to see the fans remaining the driving force of the team.
Newcastle, so far, at least have not lost that famous support even despite the changing landscape – and this team deserve it.
They have acquitted themselves incredibly well in a very tough group even with such a deep injury crisis. Their effort simply cannot be faulted, even if a team with the resources Newcastle have are unlikely to elicit much sympathy from neutrals.
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