‘Lack of concentration’ - Newcastle United star slammed for what they did during Marseille defeat
.jpg?width=96&crop=1:1,smart)
Marseille v Newcastle United: Eddie Howe’s side fell to a Champions League defeat as they were beaten 2-1 by Marseille.
Les Ferdinand has criticised Nick Pope for a ‘lack of concentration’ as his mistake allowed Marseille to equalise just moments into the second half.
Newcastle United had entered half-time ahead, courtesy of a sixth minute strike by Harvey Barnes. That goal was Barnes’ fourth in his last three matches and his fourth in as many Champions League matches this season.
Whilst they may not have been the dominant side in the first 45, the Magpies more than held their own and looked dangerous when given an opportunity to counter-attack. However, within five minutes of the restart, they were left chasing the game as they slipped from a goal ahead, to a goal behind after a brace from former Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Les Ferdinand & Joe Cole deliver Newcastle United v Marseille verdict
Having led at half-time, the Magpies were pegged back just 24 seconds into the second half when Aubameyang pounced on a misjudgement by Pope, who had rushed 30 yards off his line, to nip the ball past the goalkeeper and finish with aplomb into the empty net. Pope’s decision to rush out of his goal and subsequently get nowhere near the ball, was punished by the veteran striker and a moment that Ferdinand believes ultimately cost the Magpies a potentially precious victory on the road.
“When someone scores a goal that early in the second half, that's all you can think about. It's just a lack of concentration,” Ferdinand said on TNT Sports.
The Gazette has launched a new WhatsApp NUFC channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates directly to your phone. Simply click this link to join our NUFC WhatsApp channel.
“They took the kick off, they’re in Marseille's half, they clear the ball and it comes out. He [Aubameyang] makes a great run through the two centre halves, but the goalkeeper, who was on his line, comes out and makes a decision that really costs Newcastle in the end.
“Had he not done that, we were talking about him keeping it tight as they go out for the second half, but unfortunately after 24 seconds of the second half, and then, like I said, the crowd get behind him, there's a lift for Marseille and a few minutes later they score the second goal.”
Former Chelsea winger Joe Cole added: “Two centre-halves against one forward that early, there's no reason for a lapse of concentration. Obviously the Pope situation, but I thought all through the game, Newcastle, we praised them in the Champions League, but all through the game, I thought they were second best in most, apart from little spells where they created a few things, it wasn't a great away performance.
“It certainly wasn't good enough to get a result at a place like Marseille. So back to the drawing board again.”
Despite defeat in France, Newcastle United ended the day eighth in the Champions League league phase table. They now have four days to recover and respond to that loss as they make the trip to Liverpool to face Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time ever.
Bayer Leverkusen, the team they face next in the Champions League, ran out shock 2-0 winners against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.