Newcastle United player ratings v Marseille: Three 4/10s & 'lively' 7/10 in Champions League defeat
Marseille 2-1 Newcastle United player ratings: Here’s how Harvey Barnes, Anthony Gordon, Nick Pope and co fared in the Champions League.
Newcastle United lost 2-1 against Marseille at Stade Velodrome in the Champions League - here are the player ratings from the match.
Eddie Howe made three changes to the side that beat Manchester City 2-1 on Saturday with Lewis Hall, Joelinton and Nick Woltemade dropping to the bench in place of Dan Burn, Joe Willock and Anthony Gordon.
Newcastle went into the game having won each of their last three Champions League matches and sitting sixth in the overall group phase standings while Marseille were 25th with just one win from their opening four matches.
But it was Newcastle who got off to a flying start as Harvey Barnes made it four goals in three games with a tidy finish inside the opening six minutes.
Newcastle led 1-0 at the break but Marseille equalised within moments of the restart as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang beat Nick Pope to the ball and turned the ball in from a tight angle.
Marseille then turned the game around moments later with Aubameyang finding the net again at the near post. Less than five minutes into the second half and Marseille led 2-1.
Newcastle were unable to recover from their poor start to the second half as they suffered another away defeat after taking the lead.
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Here are the Newcastle United player ratings v Marseille (half-time ratings available here)...
Nick Pope - 4
Made a smart save to deny Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and another at his near post. Caught out moments into the second half after rushing off his line. That error saw the momentum of the game swing in Marseille’s favour and Newcastle never recovered.
Tino Livramento - 6
Started at left-back for his second start in four days after two months out. A little bit sloppy on the ball at times.
Malick Thiaw - 7
Had a header cleared off the line in the opening minutes. Made an important last-ditch challenge at the end of the first half.
Fabian Schar - 5
Kept is place in the side after Saturday. Let Aubameyang go for a big chance in the build-up to half time but fortunately wasn’t punished. But he was punished after letting the Gabon striker get a shot away for Marseille’s second.
Dan Burn - 5
Returned from suspension. Couldn’t stop the cross for Marseille’s second goal. Booked.
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Sandro Tonali - 6
His low cross led to Harvey Barnes’ opener. Had a shot saved after winning the ball back in the Marseille box. Had a couple of sloppy moments where he gifted possession to Marseille.
Bruno Guimaraes - 5
Has let his levels drop after an impressive showing against Manchester City.
Joe Willock - 7
Involved in the opening goal as he released Tonali. Brought good energy to the game and forced an early yellow for Marseille captain Leonardo Balerdi. Booked himself midway through the first half. Forced a smart stop from the Marseille goalkeeper in the second half.
Jacob Murphy - 4
Deployed in a more defensive wing-back role but managed to push forward. Lacked the final ball after getting into some good areas. Gave away possession cheaply at times.
Harvey Barnes - 7
Showed good composure to grab his seventh goal of the season. Had the ball in the net for a second goal but was flagged for offside. Curled a shot wide of the right post in the closing stages. A lively display.
Anthony Gordon - 4
A flick to set up Harvey Barnes early on. Tasked with leading the line but was on the back foot far too much. Had an effort saved by the goalkeeper at the end of the half but looked sluggish on his return from injury. Booked.
Substitutes
Lewis Hall - 6
On for Livramento 61: Offered something different off the bench but couldn’t help Newcastle get back into the game.
Lewis Miley - 6
On for Schar 61: Tracked back well to make an important block to stop a Marseille cross. Played out of position at right-back.
Anthony Elanga - 5
On for Murphy 61: Saw a shot saved after being played in by Woltemade.
Nick Woltemade - 6
On for Gordon 72: Released Elanga for a good chance but couldn’t help turn the game in Newcastle’s favour.