Newcastle United may have fallen 2-1 to Barcelona in their Champions League opener, but the spirit shown at St James' Park earned them a standing ovation. The crowd roared with pride as Eddie Howe’s side left the pitch, having pushed the Spanish giants to the limit. Despite the loss, Howe praised his players’ heart and determination, which kept them battling until the final whistle. While the result highlighted the fine margins at Europe’s top level, it also showed that Newcastle aren’t just there to make up the numbers they’re ready to fight, even if heart alone isn’t always enough.
