HIGHLIGHTS : AC Milan beat Newcastle 2-1 in the Champions League; Joelinton put hosts ahead but Christian Pulisic and Samuel Chukwueze goals see Magpies

HIGHLIGHTS : AC Milan beat Newcastle 2-1 in the Champions League; Joelinton put Samuel Chukwueze knocked out of Europe altogether; victory would have sent Newcastle into last 16 as PSG drew with Borussia Dortmund

Image:Newcastle won’t play in the Champions League or Europa League after Christmas

Newcastle’s return to the Champions League after more than 20 seasons away ultimately ended in heartbreak as they dropped out of Europe altogether thanks to a 2-1 defeat to AC Milan.

Eddie Howe’s side knew they were outsiders to reach the last 16 going into matchday six, with victory over Milan a necessity, while they also needed Paris Saint-Germain to lose or draw away to Borussia Dortmund.

A Dortmund goal sparked more celebrations at St James’ Park but it all fell apart for the Magpies, with Christian Pulisic levelling for Milan and PSG pulling a goal back within a matter of minutes.

Image:Eddie Howe acknowledges the Newcastle fans at full-time

As it has so often done amid their injury crisis, fatigue appeared to hamper Newcastle in the closing stages, with Milan belatedly growing into the game.

The hammer blow came in the 84th minute when Samuel Chukwueze finished a deadly counter-attack that dropped Newcastle to fourth in Group F – and facing up to the fact Milan had pipped them to the Europa League play-off spot.

Player ratings

Newcastle: Dubravka (6), Trippier (7), Lascelles (6), Schar (6), Livramento (6), Miley (7), Guimaraes (6), Joelinton (8), Almiron (6), Wilson (6), Gordon (6).

Subs: Isak (6), Burn (6), Longstaff (6).

AC Milan: Maignan (7), Calabria (7), Tomori (7), Hernandez (6), Florenzi (7), Reijnders (6), Musah (6), Pulisic (7), Loftus-Cheek (6), Leao (7), Giroud (7).

Subs: Jovic (7), Pobega (6), Okafor (n/a), Chukwueze (7), Bartesaghi (n/a).

Player of the match: Joelinton

How hope turned to despair for Newcastle

The first 45 minutes could not have gone any better for Newcastle, with PSG missing chance after chance in Dortmund and Joelinton smashing a shot into the top corner from the edge of the area to put them ahead against Milan.