PSG 1-1 Newcastle: Howe’s side prove they can mix it with European champions

Yet it looked like history was about to repeat itself at one point.

The game had not long kicked off when PSG were awarded a controversial penalty following a video assistant referee (VAR) review after the ball bounced off the arm of Bradley Barcola and then struck Lewis Miley’s hand inside the box.

It brought back memories of when Newcastle defender Tino Livramento was penalised for an unintentional handball at the same stadium in 2023.

Kylian Mbappe took full advantage that night but, this time, Pope got a strong hand to Ousmane Dembele’s spot-kick to briefly quieten the Parc des Princes.

Although Vitinha did put the hosts in front, just a few minutes later, Newcastle did not crumble, even after such a shaky start.

They did not let their frustrations get the better of them, either, when they were not awarded a penalty of their own after the ball struck Marquinhos’ hand inside the box a few minutes before Joe Willock equalised.

Willock was one of five players recalled by Howe and this was a night when the Newcastle head coach’s faith in his squad eventually paid off.

With an eye on Saturday’s trip to Anfield, Howe made five changes as Dan Burn, Anthony Elanga, Jacob Ramsey, Willock and Nick Woltemade came into the team, knowing he needed fresh legs.

They certainly stepped up – not least Burn, who wore the captain’s armband.

Burn, making his first appearance since breaking a rib and puncturing a lung, was even named man of the match after a colossal performance.

To think the 33-year-old had been “anxious” before the game.

“That injury did shake me up a little bit,” he said. “It was something I had never had before.

“I was really happy when the first whistle went because I just settled back into my routine and didn’t think about it.

“I don’t remember taking any knocks so I was happy. It was strange. It was probably the first time I went into a game slightly worried about the bloke I was going to get hurt against.”