A single goal is enough for Dortmund to win away at Newcastle in UCL

Newcastle United remain in second place ahead of Borussia Dortmund despite losing 1-0 at home to the Germans in their third Champions League group stage match

Photo: Stephen Gormley (Red Eye Photo Agency)

In monsoon-like conditions both sides did well to play attractive attacking football throughout the match. In the opening minutes there were chances at both ends. Pope in goal for Newcastle made a good save, which was followed by a curling shot from Anthony Gordon that was palmed away from the BVB net.

Pope came to the rescue again for the home side in the ninth minute with two great reflex-saves in quick succession. Again Newcastle countered immediately and were very unlucky not to score when Gordon was clean through but couldn’t beat Kobel from close range.

Almirón was then very unlucky to not earn a penalty for United when he seemed to be tripped as he raced into the Dortmund box.

Despite just edging the possession during the first half (55% v 45%), United found themselves going in at half time a goal down. Felix Nmecha side-footed a cross first time from close to the penalty spot into the corner of the net passed a helpess Pope, who had no chance stopping it.

Ten minutes into the second half Callum Wilson was sure he had equalised. However the Englishman’s close-range shot was somehow saved by the knee of Kobel. Wilson again had his head in his hands in disbelief in the 86th minute when his header from a free kick crashed back out off the cross bar.

The cross bar came to the rescue again for Dortmund with just seconds remaining. With Pope up for the corner kick, the ball fell to second-half substitute Sandro Tonali who again saw his shot come back off the bar with Kobel left stranded.

United will feel they have crashed back down to earth after the high of their fabulous 4-1 home victory over group leaders PSG three weeks earlier. In arguably one of the strongest Champions League Groups in recent times, Newcastle are still reveling in their seat at the top table in Europe. At the half way stage they are still second, albeit joint second with BVB, but now having the challenge of two of their remaining matches being away from home. With four points on the board the dream is still alive for United but they will need to be more clinical in front of goal or their champions league dreams will hit the harsh reality come December.