Eddie Howe admits "bruised" Newcastle weren't good enough as Champions League exit looms

Eddie Howe admitted “bruised” Newcastle need to win their last two Champions League games to rescue their hopes.

‌The Geordies lost again to Dortmund and the Newcastle boss admitted “frustration” because his injury hit squad had not shown "the best of ourselves”. Newcastle finish the group with a trip to Paris and a home game against Milan, but the Toon have only scored in one of their four European games so far.

‌Howe said: “At this stage we have to win our last two games. Ultimately we were not good enough. There’s a frustration in our performance. We are better than that. We can show a better version. Dortmund have not seen the best Newcastle and that always leaves a sense of frustration.

‌“I am disappointed. Two things come together, you lose and don’t perform at your best. I am calm and collected. With the season we are having we have to refocus on Bournemouth. We will be bruised from this moment. When a new day comes you feel differently. We’ll try to do our best to get the results we need.”

‌“We were not far away. At our best we are good enough. The players gave so much on Saturday (beating Arsenal 1-0). I don’t question what they have given here. The game came too quickly. The turnaround was a day too early. We are really stretched at the moment.

‌Newcastle are missing key players including Alexander Isak, Sven Botman, Dan Burn and banned Sandro Tonali.

‌Howe added: "We have lost the ability to make certain decisions and pick certain teams. Anthony Gordon gave everything against Arsenal and the turnaround was too quick for him. We wanted him to be an impact player here."

‌"If we'd seen the best version of ourselves and I think the result would be different. Dortmund have played us very well with a good manager and players."

‌Dortmund boss Edin Terzic said: “It was a well deserved victory. We have won twice against Newcastle, their only defeats in their last 13 games. We are very happy. We know the seven points we have are not enough for the last 16, so we need more steps.

‌“We knew of Newcastle’s qualty up front, flexible and mobile. We tried to stop them and managed quite well. We defended well, attacked well and opened up spaces for us. It is a great achievement for us and keeping a clean sheet twice against Newcastle.”