- PSG needed a penalty from Kylian Mbappé in the 98th minute to draw against Newcastle
- The French newspaper L’Equipe did not spare the Parisians with their viewing figures
- Why it’s NEVER OK to cheer in the press box (even if England win the World Cup!) – Listen here It all starts
Paris Saint-Germain’s players have been hammered by L’Equipe after needing a final penalty to draw against Newcastle United in the Champions League.
The Viewing figures from the French newspaper may be on the harsh side, but the PSG team averaged just 4.5 out of 10, with Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele being the highest scorers with 6.
Mbappe converted a hugely controversial penalty in the 98th minute after Newcastle defender Tino Livramento was assessed by VAR as having handled the ball while blocking a cross.
Alexander Isak had given Newcastle the lead earlier and they staged a great rearguard action to keep the Parisians at bay.
The result left Eddie Howe’s side third in Group F, two points behind PSG in second place. They now have to beat AC Milan at St James’ Park on matchday six and hope PSG don’t beat Borussia Dortmund.
Kylian Mbappé was the highest scorer for Paris Saint-Germain in L’Equipe ratings, but scored just 6/10 despite his late penalty helping them salvage a draw against Newcastle United
Newcastle keeper Nick Pope was top rated (8/10) after making some big saves
Player ratings in L’Equipe averaged just 4.5 for PSG and 5.7 for Newcastle
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PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma received the lowest L’Equipe rating – just three – and was criticized for almost giving away a ‘very expensive’ early goal with a sloppy pass.
Six players were rated out of four, with Randal Kolo Muani’s contribution in possession described as ‘clumsy’ and his three touches in Newcastle’s box ‘inadequate’.
Mbappé’s contribution was described by L’Equipe as a “struggle” in the first half, but improved to a performance “full of anger” in the second half as “he never stopped believing and driving the momentum.”
The newspaper was not exactly impressed by coach Luis Enrique’s tactics. He gave him a paltry three out of ten and suggested his decision to start Danilo Pereira and Lee Kang-In backfired.
Newcastle fared better in the ratings after their battling performance at the Parc des Princes.
Their scores averaged 5.7, with goalkeeper Nick Pope rating the standout player an eight out of ten after a series of crucial saves.
The England stopper was described as ‘the big man of the night’ and ‘it took a late penalty to beat him’ after twice denying Mbappe and Dembele in key moments.
PSG’s Randal Kolo Muani and Newcastle’s Joelinton battle for the ball at the Parc des Princes
Newcastle were left heartbroken in Paris as they left with a 1-1 draw following a controversial penalty
Kylian Mbappé’s calm effort saw the hosts grab a point and keep their Champions League hopes in their own hands
Debate will rage over whether Tino Livramento should have been punished for a handball after it first ricocheted off his chest
There was praise for Bruno Guimaraes, who scored seven, after ‘generating the pressure’ and ‘controlling the game when he had the ball’.
In contrast, youngster Lewis Miley conceded just four out of ten, and Livramento finished with a score of just five, colored by the late penalty concession.
His match was described as ‘amazing’ and the penalty was deemed ‘harsh’.
There was a balanced assessment from Howe, who scored six, taking into account the great effort from a depleted team, but also the fact that PSG could not make much from 31 shots on target.