Eddie Howe was left angered after Newcastle conceded a controversial stoppage time penalty to draw 1-1 at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
The Magpies looked set for a crucial win in their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds, after Alexander Isak had turned in a rebound to put the Premier League side ahead at the Parc des Prices.
Newcastle led until the closing stages, before Tino Livramento was punished for a handball in stoppage time. The ball took ricochet off the full-back’s chest before hitting his arm, but referee Szymon Marciniak pointed to the spot after consolation with VAR.
Kylian Mbappe converted the kick to score a 98th minute equaliser from the spot and leave Newcastle’s hopes of progress out of their own hands.
“Yes, I do,” Howe said when asked if he felt a sense of injustice. “It wasn’t the right decision in my opinion. There are so many things to take into account at that moment, the speed first.
“It was a ricochet that when it is slowed down looks completely different to the live event. The ball hits his chest first, comes up and hits his hand. But his hand is not in an unnatural position, it is down by his side but he is in a running motion. I feel it is a poor decision and it’s hugely frustrating for us.”
The draw means Newcastle need to win against AC Milan at St James’ Park in their final fixture and hope Paris Saint-Germain fail to beat already qualified Borussia Dortmund in Germany. Howe said his side still have belief that they can reach the knockout rounds.
“We’re still in it. We can’t forget that. We still believe.
“It looked like we had got there. Full credit to the players. As much as this is a huge deflating feeling, it could be another story in our season [against Milan].
“I have to control myself, that is my job and it doesn’t do any good to lose control of your emotions when I speak but I’m just devastated for the players. The way they performed in very difficult circumstances and what that decision does to the group … Our destiny is not in our own hands now and that is tough to take after being in that position.”
