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SPORTS FRIDAY | MAR 20, 2026

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Howe vows to take Newcastle back to Europe

Ű BY DAMIAN SPELLMAN

enth from Raphinha blew the sorry Magpies away. Howe, who also lost key midfielder Sandro Tonali to injury, said: “Our defending was not on a level that it was just a few days ago at Chelsea. It started with the first goal when two players slip and then we concede a set-play. “Then probably the big moment is the penalty, so as well as we played in the first half, when I thought we were outstanding in many aspects – it was really a great representation of how we want to play – there were too many individual errors within the performance to carry that great performance through. “Really, if we had defended anywhere near the level we can, I think we would have been leading at halftime.” It was the first time Newcastle had conceded

as they did in the first half and execute 90% of what we wanted was a great feeling, a great sight. “I don’t think that all should be forgotten with the scoreline, as difficult as that is for everyone to see.” If Newcastle contributed to their own downfall for Raphinha’s opener and Marc Bernal’s second, they ripped Barca apart to level on both occasions with Anthony Elanga scoring twice. However, Lamine Yamal’s penalty in first-half stoppage time, awarded after a VAR review of Kieran Trippier’s challenge on Raphinha, gave the five-time European champions the impetus they needed to kill off the tie in ruthless fashion after the break. Fermin Lopez put clear water between the sides before Robert Lewandowski’s double and a sev

seven since they did so at Arsenal in December 2012, but they have little time to lick their wounds with Sunday’s must-win derby clash against Sunderland looming. Asked about the penalty decision, which he admitted came as a significant psychological blow, Howe said: “Maybe it was a bit of a stronger call than our penalty, but I think it was tough on us for one not to be reversed and that one to be.” Barca boss Hansi Flick was delighted with his side’s second-half display in particular, but was refusing to count any chickens. Flick said: “It’s the Champions League and noth ing is easy. We have to go step-by-step, thinking always match-to-match, game-to-game. Last sea son we did it and we will do it also this season.” – The Independent

EDDIE HOWE vowed to take Newcastle back to the Champions League after their latest adventure ended in humbling style at Barcelona. Yesterday’s 7-2 drubbing at the Nou Camp, which saw the hosts progress 8-3 on aggregate, killed off the Magpies’ dreams of a quarterfinal berth for the first time as Barca turned on the style after a difficult first half to crush the Premier League side. Asked about his emotions on the final whistle and his desire for another crack at European foot ball’s premier club competition, Howe said: “Of course, this is where we want to be. “As much as today is a harsh scoreline on us and a painful experience, to see the players play as well

Defeat despite victory Tudor left with mixed feelings after Tottenham exit in spite of his first win

Keep Szoboszlai in his proper position: Gerrard

Ű BY HARRY LATHAM-COYLE

Ű BY GEORGE SESSIONS

I GOR TUDOR was left with mixed emotions after Tottenham bowed out of the Champions League with a 7-5 aggregate defeat to Atletico Madrid but only after a spirited 3-2 second-leg win. A brace by Xavi Simons after Randal Kolo Muani’s 30th-minute opener helped Spurs clinch a first home victory since Jan 20, a first under Tudor, and end an eight-match winless streak. Tottenham had slipped from one crisis to another in 2026 and a shambolic 5-2 loss in Madrid last week left Tudor on the brink, but a battling 1-1 draw at Liverpool restored belief and more pride was clawed back with this morale boosting 3-2 victory ahead of Sunday’s crunch Premier League fixture at home to Nottingham Forest. Tudor, with reference to Spurs being four goals down inside 22 minutes in last Tuesday’s first leg, reflected: “The sensation and feelings are mixed. Of course, we are out, but it was a sen sation of one very good team on the pitch, one very good performance of the players. “The energy was very nice. From the first moment, the fans recognised that the team will try to do everything they can do, so from the first moment until the last moment, they were with us, it was beautiful. “After seeing today, there is even more ques tions about the first game. If it didn’t happen, what happened, I believe we have a good chance to pass against Atletico Madrid.” This display by Tottenham was one of their best of a sorry season and all the more impressive given Tudor was without 11 players due to a mul titude of factors. Tudor also highlighted how fit-again substi tutes Destiny Udogie and Lucas Bergvall were only given the green light to play 20 minutes after recent injury problems, but hopes this much needed first home victory since January can lift spirits before Sunday’s meeting with relegation rivals Forest. “I need to repeat that today we have again 11 (outfield) players and on the bench just one player. One player is (Kevin) Danso,” Tudor explained. “All three players – Bergvall, Udogie and Conor (Gallagher) – doctors say they can play at least maximum 20 minutes, 25 minutes. “Imagine the situation, imagine the value of this victory here. The value of this performance is even bigger because of these things. It was nice in the end to at least take the victory. It’s important also for the morale.” Tudor did have a gripe with Atletico’s first goal through Julian Alvarez after Spurs wanted a foul on Xavi in the build-up, but the hosts responded twice either side of David Hancko’s 75th-minute leveller to extend their unbeaten home run in Europe to 25 matches.

FORMER Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has urged Arne Slot to keep Dominik Szoboszlai in his “proper position” after the midfielder kick started yesterday’s Champions League win over Galatasaray. Szoboszlai opened the scoring from a neatly worked corner routine, guiding home from the edge of the box with a crisply-struck effort on his left foot to spark a 4-0 win. In a season of mixed form, the Hungarian playmaker has been perhaps Liverpool’s most consistent and impressive performer, though has been forced to fill in at right-back with relative regularity amid a spate of injuries. The 25-year-old is a figure of increasing importance for Slot, though, in a creative mid field role, and Gerrard has been mightily impressed by a successor in the No. 8 shirt at Anfield. He is hopeful, though, that Szoboszlai’s time in the back four is at an end after his latest exploits. “I like his mentality. He’s evolved and he’s grown a lot since he’s become a Liverpool player,” said Gerrard on TNT Sports . “We (Liverpool) obvi ously signed a big talent. “He’s in the prime years of his career. I think Liverpool are going to see the best of him. I hope he stays around for a long time because I think there’s a potential captain in there. “The way he’s playing and his consistency and his mentality, you can hear it in his voice. He’s straight on to the next game, talking about Brighton. I love that about him. “He’s flying at the moment. He’s full of confi dence. He’s got everything going for him. He’s just got to maintain it and stay healthy “He’s definitely a team player. I still think there’s another level to him as well. I can see him potentially getting more goals, if he can have a consistent run in that 8/10 position. You can see it tonight; he could have had a hattrick. “He’s always in and around the box. His ball striking is phenomenal. His timing and his tech nique and he hits it with so much venom. The ball’s are getting lighter and lighter. He must be an absolute nightmare for the goalkeeper. “People are going away now talking about his performance because he’s exciting and he’s entertaining, but he’s in his proper position. Keep him in his proper position. Let him flourish.” Last weekend against Tottenham, Szoboszlai had complained about fans leaving early and it would be a stretch to say the ground was full when the final whistle was blown to put an end to Galatasaray’s misery. “We needed that. I think today we showed the right direction and what we want to show every body and each other,” Szoboszlai told TNT Sports . “It starts with us and I know the fans can be unhappy with us but I think it’s a good step for us.” – The Independent/Agencies

Atletico’s Marcos Llorente jumps over Tottenham’s Mathys Tel during the Champions League last 16, 2nd leg match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London yesterday. – AFPPIC

“The penalty comes at the end and we maybe deserved a draw, but it is a great performance by our players,” Simeone insisted. “It’s a moment to be happy. It is a time to be happy as a club, as a team and the happiness of our fans at the end enjoying this qualification and getting through to the quarterfinals, it’s fantastic.” – The Independent

Asked if Tudor expected Spurs to return to European competition again soon given they will not qualify this season, he insisted: “Next year, no? The year after that can go again.” Opposite number Diego Simeone was pleased to set up a last-eight tie with domestic rivals Barcelona, but felt Atletico warranted a draw in north London.