Five talking points as Newcastle dumped out of Europe

Newcastle crashed out of the Champions League after losing 2-1 to AC Milan on Matchday 6.

The Magpies took the lead through Joelinton but goals from Christian Pulisic and Samuel Chukwueze were enough to send the Toon crashing to the bottom of Group F.

Here are five key talking points from a rollercoaster evening at St James' Park.

Welcome to Tyneside

Plagued by injuries, Eddie Howe had no choice but to name an almost identical starting XI to the one that looked devoid of any energy against Tottenham last weekend.

The question was, could Newcastle dig deep enough to prolong their stay in Europe beyond the New Year?

On such a meaningful night at St James' Park, the players would have no better motivators than the thundering crowd who summoned their famous atmosphere on a cold evening in the North East.

Every tackle made, free-kick won and shot struck was met with booming applause and the cheers of 52,000 Geordies desperate to see their team progress.

Signs of wear

As expected, Newcastle were dominant inside their fortress early on.

But as has been the theme in recent weeks, the Magpies were showing signs of tiredness and handed Milan the initiative on the counter-attack.

On more than one occasion the home side needlessly passed the ball out of play in situations where their players were not under pressure.

Bruno Guimaraes and Miguel Almiron were the main culprits and their mistakes presented the visitors with plenty of space in behind, particularly due to Newcastle's desire to commit so many men forward.

Made in Brazil

Joelinton is often labelled as an underrated midfielder in England's top flight but his rocket of a right foot made him impossible to ignore here.

Brazil's five-cap international made it two goals in consecutive games across all competitions with his phenomenal opener.

The No7's dominant presence in the home side's engine room set the Tynesiders on the front foot and he had the beating of Englishman Ruben Loftus-Cheek — who is a powerful midfielder himself.

Partnered by countryman Guimaraes, Joelinton set the benchmark for the other Newcastle players on the pitch and wasted no time in geeing up the crowd at every opportunity.

Classy Italians

With news of Borussia Dortmund taking the lead against Paris Saint-Germain flooding through the stadium, the nerves ramped up inside St James' Park.

Milan emerged in the second half with a newfound hunger and seized the initiative against a suddenly tentative home side.

Pulisic's equaliser was no less than the Serie A side deserved and his strike sparked the first bit of noise from the travelling supporters stowed away high up in the Leazes Stand.

With a helping hand from goalkeeper Mike Maignan, the seven-time Champions League winners posed an increasing threat with every passing minute as they searched to break thousands of Geordie hearts.

Hail mary

Newcastle's efforts to win the match cost them dearly in the end as Milan found a way through a tired-looking defence.

Chukwueze's winner meant that Howe's side finished bottom of Group F and would miss out on a place in the Europa League play-offs.

It was not meant to be for the Magpies but they gave a good account of themselves in what was declared the 'group of death' prior to a ball being kicked.

A lack of squad depth due to injuries proved to be their undoing however you cannot help but think Newcastle will be back among the elite sooner rather than later.