Howe: Toon cannot afford to dip below best again

Eddie Howe has warned Newcastle must hit their highest level or face more Champions League heartache following a home defeat to Borussia Dortmund.

The Magpies were edged out 1-0 by their Bundesliga opponents at St James' Park with Felix Nmecha stroking home the decisive goal just before half-time.

Callum Wilson missed a gilt-edged chance from six yards after the break before heading against the bar, with Anthony Gordon's deflected strike also hitting the woodwork in the dying seconds.

And while Howe was encouraged by his side's second-half showing, he knows more is required if they are to reach the knockout phase.

The Toon boss, 45, said: "It was one of those nights for us.

"Callum had that chance at the start of the second half, I thought that was a good one. We've hit the bar twice and it just wouldn't go in tonight.

"[This group] was always going to be tight. There are top-quality teams in the group. 

"Tonight is a blow for us, especially at home, but we have to take it on the chin. 

"Credit to the players, we never gave up, we kept doing the right things. We looked like a goal threat. 

"But we have to be at our best to win. If you dip below that, it's tough to get results at this level."

Injury issues

Newcastle's squad is already stretched by injuries and those problems intensified as Alexander Isak and Jacob Murphy were both forced off.

Howe added: "Jacob came off with what looks like a serious injury.

"We've got a small squad as is it. That's probably the most disappointing thing of the night.

"It looks like a recurrence of his Isak's groin problem and it's a big blow. Jacob's looks serious, potentially a dislocation of his shoulder."

The pair join Elliot Anderson, Sven Botman and Harvey Barnes on the Toon's ever-growing list of absentees.

It puts further strain on the squad ahead of Premier League clashes with Wolves and Arsenal either side of a Carabao Cup trip to Manchester United next Wednesday.

Beyond that, a return trip to Dortmund awaits — a game Howe believes will be pivotal in how Group F ends up.

He said: "The return game is going to be hugely important. 

"The next two away games, the league table looks very, very tight so they are great games for us, we have to approach them like that.

"Then as Dortmund did against us tonight, we have to do equally as well at their place now."