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    Champions League last-16 draw simulated with Arsenal landing worst case scenario but it’s good news for Man City

    WITH the Champions League group stage now concluded, the English teams remaining in the competition will be eagerly anticipating who they will face in the last 16.Arsenal and Manchester City both topped their group, while Manchester United and Newcastle fell out of Europe entirely by finishing bottom of their respective groups.
    Arsenal have drawn a horror Champions League tieCredit: Getty
    Meanwhile, Man City have been handed a relatively easy tieCredit: AFP
    The makeup of Monday’s Champions League draw
    Topping the group means the two Premier League title challengers will face one of the sides who finished second in their group.
    However, these opponents range from Copenhagen and PSV to Paris Saint-Germain and Napoli, with seeded teams facing off against unseeded sides.
    Ahead of next Monday’s draw, SunSport have simulated who the Gunners and City will face when the first leg of the knockout draw comes around in February.
    And after running the teams through a simulator, we can reveal who they have come up against.
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    As the luck would have it, Arsenal – who are in the last-16 for the first time since the 2016/17 season – have drawn a horror tie against French giants PSG.
    Meanwhile, reigning champions Man City have been handed a far easier tie against PSV, who finished second in Arsenal’s group.
    There are some tasty ties elsewhere though, with Bayern Munich facing off against Napoli.
    Jude Bellingham’s Real Madrid have been drawn against Lazio, while fellow Spanish side Real Sociedad are up against RB Leipzig.
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    Another Spanish team who finished top of their group, Atletico Madrid, will face a tricky tie against Porto.
    Two sides who helped dump Newcastle and Man Utd out of the Champions League will be facing off when Borussia Dortmund take on Copenhagen.
    The fourth Spanish side to top their group, Barcelona, will take on Inter Milan.
    The seeded teams will play away from home on the 13/14/20/21 February, while they will then host the second legs from 5/6/12/13 March.
    The draw for the last 16 will commence at 11am GMT on Monday December 18 in Nyon Switzerland.
    The simulated Champions League draw More

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    Fans wish CBS Sports was shown in UK as they ‘cry real tears’ at segment savaging Micah Richards

    FANS shared their love for CBS Sports once again after a hilarious clip ridiculing Micah Richards went viral.CBS Sports has built a reputation for mocking members of the panel, which includes Richards, Jamie Carragher, Thierry Henry and host Kate Abdo.
    Micah Richards was mocked for his theatrical dive for Aston VillaCredit: CBS Sports
    Richards had no way to respond to the trolling but saw the funny sideCredit: CBS Sports
    His colleagues Thierry Henry and Jamie Carragher found the clip hilariousCredit: CBS SPORTS
    On Wednesday it was Richards’ turn for a bit of teasing as CBS rolled back the years to find an extremely embarrassing moment.
    Carragher began the segment by criticising Manchester City goalscorer Micah Hamilton for diving.
    But Richards felt that was unwarranted as the defender had made contact with the youngster, and suggested his shirt was pulled.
    Carragher ignored Richards and continued the joke, unbeknownst to his colleague.
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    He said to Richards: “Hear me out. When you think of his name, he obviously looks up to you. Where do you think he got it from?”
    CBS Sports then showed a clip of Richards in action for Aston Villa against Stoke in 2015, where the defender dived theatrically in an attempt to win a penalty.
    Richards tried to make the most out of the slightest bit of contact with Glenn Whelan by jumping high in the air, and the audacity of his dive left his CBS colleagues in stitches.
    Henry responded saying: “What are you doing?!”
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    CBS then paused on a still of Richards high in the air with Carragher crying out: “What is that! I have never seen anything like that, look where his boots are!”
    Fans found the segment hilarious with one responding by saying he was “crying real tears”.
    Another added: “There is no sports studio show better than this. Literally crying. Whatever it costs, you need to keep these four together.”
    And a third wrote: “I absolutely love this show.”
    CBS Sports have won a lot of plaudits for their Champions League coverage with many won over by the camaraderie between the presenter and pundits.
    Just a day before Carragher was the victim as Abdo trolled him after he appeared to be out of breath during an analysis segment.
    The presenter quipped: “I’ve got an inhaler in my bag, would it help you?” More

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    Pep Guardiola has brilliant response after learning Man City wonderkid Micah Hamilton was ballboy for him six years ago

    PEP GUARDIOLA was shocked to learn Micah Hamilton was a ballboy for him six years ago.The youngster scored on his Manchester City debut against Red Star Belgrade with an impressive strike.
    Pep Guardiola was shocked to learn Micah Hamilton was a ballboy for him in 2017Credit: TNT Sports
    The youngster scored on his Manchester City debut against Red Star BelgradeCredit: Getty

    He jinked past two defenders before smashing the ball into the roof of the net from a tight angle.
    Guardiola, 52, revealed he has been training with the first-team squad quite regularly, but he had no idea the forward once helped his team out in a different capacity.
    The City boss was shown a photo from 2017 where he dished out advice and instructions to a young Hamilton when he was a ballboy at the Etihad.
    Guardiola was shocked to see the snap as he had forgotten about the interaction with the 20-year-old.
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    He said: “I didn’t know! Six years ago? Wow!
    “What a goal, eh! And what a game. I’m so happy for him.
    “He’s training quite often with us, we saw his skills up front one versus one and he made a fantastic goal and penalty and when he could not be 1vs1 he gave extra passes. Defensively he was aggressive.”
    Hamilton became the fifth-youngest Englishman to score on their Champions League debut at 20 years and 30 days.
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    He is also the youngest to score on their debut since Marcus Rashford in September 2017 aged 19 years and 316 days.
    Fellow youngster Oscar Bobb was also on target, doubling City’s lead after the interval with his first senior goal. More

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    Ex-Chelsea boss Graham Potter lined up to replace Erik ten Hag as Man Utd manager after meeting with Sir Jim Ratcliffe

    GRAHAM POTTER is being lined up to replace Erik ten Hag at Manchester United.SunSport understands incoming investor Sir Jim Ratcliffe has met with former Chelsea chief Potter and favours him as the new boss at Old Trafford if he fires Ten Hag.
    Graham Potter is being lined up by Man Utd to replace Ten HagCredit: PA
    Erik ten Hag is under increasing pressure at Old TraffordCredit: Getty
    The threat to the Dutchman’s position increased following Tuesday’s 1-0 Champions League home defeat to Bayern Munich.
    United crashed out of Europe with their lowest-ever group-stage points tally of FOUR.
    And they did not even drop into the Europa League after finishing BOTTOM of Group A.
    Ten Hag’s flops, who were also hammered 3-0 by Bournemouth in the Prem last Saturday, were booed off as their season hit a new low.

    And a heavy loss on Sunday at bitter rivals Liverpool — where United got humiliated 7-0 in March — could be the final straw for under-fire Ten Hag.
    Jose Mourinho was sacked by the Red Devils following a 3-1 loss to Jurgen Klopp’s side in December 2018.
    Potter, 48, has not managed since being sacked by Chelsea in April after less than a season in charge.
    But Ratcliffe remains a huge fan of the former Swansea and Brighton boss and wanted him at French side Nice.
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    The Ineos chief is set to buy 25 per cent of United next week and will immediately take over football operations.
    Potter turned down the chance to succeed Alex Neil as manager of Championship side Stoke this week.
    It is understood he is only prepared to return to the dugout if a major job came up.

    Ten Hag is United’s fifth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired following his 2012-13 Prem title triumph.
    But the 53-year-old Dutchman is heading the way of his predecessors, despite a good first season in charge.
    The former Ajax boss finished third in the Premier League last season, reached both domestic cup finals and won the Carabao Cup — United’s first silverware in six years.
    This term they have gone backwards, losing 12 of their 24 games in all competitions.
    Captain Bruno Fernandes misses Sunday’s Anfield showdown through suspension, while defenders Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw are doubts after getting injured against Bayern.
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    Off the pitch, United will also take a financial hit of more than £20million following their Champions League exit.
    It is believed they budget to reach the quarter-finals, so will lose out on matchday income and TV money as well as participation and performance fees.
    Ratcliffe is a big fan of Potter More

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    Newcastle 1 AC Milan 2: Devastated Toon crash out of Europe as Italians fight from a goal down to break Geordie hearts

    IN the end, all the money in Saudi Arabia and all the passion of the Geordie Nation was not enough. Newcastle United, seemingly coasting to victory after Joelinton had thumped them into a half-time lead, were dumped out of Europe by a stunning AC Milan comeback. 
    Joelinton opened the scoring for NewcastleCredit: Getty
    The Brazilian broke the deadlock in the 33rd minuteCredit: Getty
    The Champions League demands elite-level wisdom and experience and that is the one thing Newcastle’s owners cannot buy. 
    It took Manchester City three attempts to get through the group stage and more than a decade to win the thing. There are no short cuts in this competition.
    Milan, seven-time European champions and semi-finalists last season, used every bit of their nous to deny Eddie Howe’s side even a consolation spot in the Europa League, as Christian Pulisic and Samuel Chukwueze fired them to victory. 
    Newcastle needed to win this match and hope Paris St Germain did not defeat Borussia Dortmund in order to progress to the Champions League knock-out stage. 

    And early in the second half, a full-throated Toon Army were bellowing ‘Show Me The Way To Barcelona’, with both matches in their favour.
    So Milan’s smash-and-grab job was an almighty kick in the conkers for Howe, already reeling from heavy Premier League defeats by Everton and Tottenham.
    Newcastle can look back on this campaign with a mixture of pride and regret but it will be a tough ask for them to return to the top table next season thanks to their dismal away form.
    In a proper Group of Death, Toon were twice outstanding against PSG but twice outplayed by Dortmund, having survived an onslaught to secure a goalless draw in the San Siro in their opener, only to be struck by a sucker punch here. 
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    Martin Dubravka was passed fit to start in goal, while Callum Wilson returned to lead the line. 
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    Christian Pulisic scored the equaliser in the second halfCredit: Getty
    Samuel Chukwueze broke Newcastle hearts with a late winnerCredit: Reuters
    Milan fielded their full complement of Chelsea old boys – Fikayo Tomori, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Christian Pulisic and Olivier Giroud.
    And they came dressed in the single worst kit ever seen at a major English football ground – a pink, green and blue number that looked like a bubblegum wrapper designed by somebody on a bad acid trip.
    Anthony Gordon made his usual energetic start, charging down his full-back to concede a throw-in and send the Leazes End into rapture. 
    Soon Gordon was upended by Pulisic and Kieran Trippier curled a free-kick just wide. 
    Trippier was soon surging forward and feeding Joelinton, whose centre evaded keeper Mike Maignan, leaving Tomori to make an outstanding saving tackle to deny Miguel Almiron on the goal line.
    It was all there for Howe – the tempo, the intent, the volume of the Toon Army.
    But Milan held a threat, especially through their dangerman Rafael Leao, who looped a shot narrowly wide as Newcastle were caught on the hop.
    On 33 minutes, though, Newcastle were ahead – Fabian Schar bringing the ball out of defence, Gordon scampering forward and angling a pass to Lewis Miley, who cut back for Joelinton.
    It was a smash-and-grab from AC Milan
    The big Brazilian took one touch then thumped into the far corner from 18 yards, shooting with a power which belied his relative lack of backlift. 
    Joelinton had been renowned for missing sitters in his previous life as a striker in pre-Saudi Newcastle, but here he was scoring a screamer in the Champions League from midfield. 
    Tino Livramento halted a Milan break with a tackle on Leao. The full-back has name which sounds especially pleasing in a Geordie accent and it was roared to the tune of the Hokey-Cokey.
    By half-time, Howe’s boys seemed fully in control, simply hoping that Dortmund could keep Kylian Mbappe & Co at bay. 
    Soon after the interval, St James’ Park erupted at news that the Germans had scored – yet PSG swiftly levelled. 
    And then disaster struck the Toon, as a Yunus Musah miskick turned into a decent pass for Giroud who squared for Pulisic to score, with the home defence panicked and static.
    It was a horribly soft goal to concede to a Milan side who hadn’t registered a shot on target and had barely threatened until then. 
    Howe sent on Alexander Isak in place of Gordon and welcomed back Dan Burn from injury.
    Fikayo Tomori rattled the post in the final minute of added timeCredit: Reuters
    Newcastle swept forward and Isak bent a shot just over, the night air crackling with agonised cries. 
    Then Bruno Guimaraes leathered a shot from the edge of the area and Maignan pushed it brilliantly onto the crossbar, as news of a disallowed Mbappe goal emerged from Dortmund. 
    Leao should have buried Newcastle when a Livramento blunder allowed him a clear sight at goal but the winger shot against the post. 
    Everything, both here and in Germany, was on a knife edge – why on Earth have UEFA chosen to scrap the group stage is anybody’s guess. 
    But then anyone who has ever attended a UEFA will know full well the European governing body’s staggering incompetence. 
    Read more on The Sun
    Six minutes from time, with the game resembling an NBA match, Milan swept from one end of the pitch to the other and Chukwueze drilled into the far corner, finally demolishing the wall of noise.
    Tomori struck the woodwork in injury-time as Newcastle went death-or-glory and ended up expiring.  More

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    Who Arsenal and Man City can play in Champions League round of 16?

    ENGLISH sides Arsenal and Manchester City have made it to the last-16 of the Champions League.Manchester United failed to join their Premier League counterparts after picking up just four points from six games following a horror European campaign.
    Manchester City will be hoping to go win back-to-back Champions LeaguesCredit: Richard Pelham

    Newcastle were within touching distance of a last-16 spot after taking the lead against AC Milan in their Group F finale, but the Magpies couldn’t hold on and lost 2-1 to the Italian giants on Tyneside, which knocked the Toon out of Europe completely.
    Just the two sides will represent England in the knockout stages of the Champions League – but who can Arsenal and Man City play?
    Who can Arsenal and Man City play in Champions League round of 16?
    The draw will feature the 16 teams that have advanced from the group stage of this season’s Champions League.
    Teams who won their respective group will be seeded and the runners-up are unseeded – seeded teams will face unseeded teams.
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    Arsenaland Man City cannot play each other as they are from the same national association.
    Teams will also be unable to face any team they played in the group stage.
    This means Arsenal cannot play PSV and Man City cannot play RB Leipzig.
    Here are all the possible opponents Arsenal and Man City could face:
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    Arsenal’s potential last-16 opponents: Copenhagen, Napoli, Inter Milan, Lazio, PSG, RB Leipzig, Porto.
    Man City’s potential last-16 opponents: Copenhagen, PSV, Napoli, Inter Milan, Lazio, PSG, Porto.

    When is the Champions League last-16 draw?

    The Champions League Last 16 draw on Monday, December 18.
    It is scheduled to get underway at 11am GMT – 12pm local time.
    The huge draw will take place in Nyon, Switzerland.

    How can I watch it for FREE?

    Fans can watch the Champions League last-16 draw for FREE on UEFA.com.
    Alternatively, tune into SunSport’s live blog which will have the latest updates as the draw is announced.

    When do the Champions League last-16 matches take place?
    The round of 16 will be played over the course of four weeks
    First legs: 13/14/20/21 February 2024
    Second legs: 5/6/12/13 March 2024 More

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    Chelsea fans moan Frank Lampard ‘has blood on his hands’ after Tomori turns into prime Maldini to deny Newcastle tap-in

    CHELSEA fans were furious after seeing old boy Fikayo Tomori produce a miraculous block in AC Milan’s 2-1 win at Newcastle.One Blues’ supporter even claimed former Stamford Bridge boss Frank Lampard had “blood on his hands” for letting Tomori go in 2021.
    Fikayo Tomori timed this block from Miguel Almiron to perfection
    Almiron was preparing to slot into an empty goalCredit: Reuters
    The five-cap England centre-back somehow stretched to bend a foot round and stop Miguel Almiron slotting the Toon in front.
    Newcastle needed victory to have any chance of qualifying for the Champions League knockout stages.
    And Tomori earned comparisons with Italy legend Paolo Maldini for the way he judged his last-ditch slide as Almiron zoomed in virtually on the goal-line.
    Viewers reckon “Chelsea would weep” after watching the intervention from the Stamford Bridge academy product.
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    Another fan suggested the magical moment shows the 25-year-old should be an England regular.
    He posted: “Yet Gareth Southgate plays Maguire and benches Tomori.”
    Joelinton cracked the Magpies ahead on 33 minutes as the home side dominated possession.
    But ex-Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic levelled for Milan just before the hour mark.
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    And Samuel Chukwueze angled the clincher for the Serie A giants with a sweet finish to a sweeping counter-attack in the 85th minute.
    Defeat left the Magpies bottom of Group F and out of the Champions League.
    Newcastle went on to take the lead after this near miss but AC Milan fought back to break their heartsCredit: Getty More

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    Newcastle 1-2 AC Milan LIVE RESULT: Brave Toon fall out of Champions League and Europe after late Chukwueze goal

    NEWCASTLE have been knocked out of the Champions League and Europe tonight after AC Milan ran out 2-1 winners on Tyneside.Joelinton’s thunderous strike beat a helpless Mike Maignan in goal for the game’s opener after 33 minutes before Christian Pulisic levelled things up on the hour mark.
    Substitute Samuel Chukwueze finished off a stunning AC Milan counter-attack on the 84th minute to break Newcastle hearts and knock the Toon out of Europe.

    Match result: Newcastle 1-2 AC Milan
    Newcastle team: Dubravka; Trippier, Lascelles, Schar, Livramento; Miley, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron, Wilson, Gordon
    AC Milan team: Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Hernandez, Florenzi; Musah, Reijnders, Loftus-Cheek; Pulisic, Giroud, Leao

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    Follow ALL the action from St James’ Park with our live blog below…
    Brazilian controls Magpies’ engine room
    Despite their exit, Joelinton put in a brilliant performance.
    He scored the goal on the night, a superb strike into the top corner.
    Aside from that, he covered so much ground for Newcastle, looking to break up the Milan play before getting The Magpies on the front foot once again.

    Magpies must learn from experience
    It is easy to focus on the disappointment from tonight’s result but Newcastle must learn from the campaign.
    They have faced sides who have vast experience in Champions League football, yet they were so close to doing the unthinkable.
    Now the focus must be on European qualification for next season.
    FT: Newcastle 1-2 AC Milan
    Disappointment at St James’ Park, at one stage they were heading into the knockout stage of the Champions League.
    Two goals later, they are out of Europe completely.
    So close, but no cigar for Eddie Howe’s side.
    Credit: Getty
    Credit: Getty
    Credit: AP
    FT: Newcastle 1-2 AC Milan
    The Italians really did a number on Eddie Howe’s side.
    While the stats show they had two shots on target and scored two goals, they also hit the woodwork twice.
    As the game opened up, as Newcastle chased a goal, Milan showed their experience on the break.

    FT: Newcastle 1-2 AC Milan
    The referee brings the game to a close.
    Newcastle are officially out of Europe.
    Milan will head into the Europa League, PSG qualify for the knockout phase of the Champions League.
    Newcastle 1-2 AC Milan
    90+4. As Milan clear the ball, two players break with no keeper in the Newcastle goal.
    Hernandez takes the wrong option as he shoots.
    As The Magpies throw bodies forward once again, Milan break and work it to Tomori who shoots, only to hit the post.
    Newcastle 1-2 AC Milan
    90+2. As it stands, Newcastle would be completely out of Europe.
    The ball is lofted into the box but Maignan collects well.
    Pioli’s side are happy to try and run the clock down.
    Newcastle look to cross into the box but Tomori blocks for a corner.
    Dubravka has come up for this one.
    Newcastle 1-2 AC Milan
    90. Time is running out for Eddie Howe’s side.
    Guimaraes looks to take it past the full back but runs out of pitch.
    Florenzi wipes out Almiron as he turns his marker and was away.
    There are four minutes of added time remaining.
    Newcastle 1-2 AC Milan
    88. Milan are looking very dangerous on the break.
    As Newcastle throw more players forward, including defenders, when the visitors win it back they look capable of scoring.
    Leao lays the ball back to the penalty spot and Burn makes a great block as that seemed destined for the back of the net.
    Credit: Reuters
    Newcastle 1-2 AC Milan
    86. Milan counter attack and have numbers over as Schar is caught out of position.
    The substitutes combine before Chukwueze bends a first time shot into the top corner of the goal.
    Great strike.
    That may be his first touch of the ball since coming on.
    Goal – Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan)
    Newcastle 1-1 AC Milan
    84. Milan make two more changes as they search for a goal.
    Newcastle come forward once again.
    Schar tries a one-two but the ball is cleared before he can get to it.
    Newcastle 1-1 AC Milan
    82. Isak bursts through the middle but is hauled down by Musah.
    It is played short to Livramento but Newcastle cannot make anything from the chance.
    Milan win a free kick deep in The Magpies’ half.
    Newcastle 1-1 AC Milan
    80. Rafael Leao busts through with only the keeper to beat.
    He gives Dubravka the eyes but his shot thunders back off the base of the post.
    What a chance that was, he really should have scored.
    Newcastle 1-1 AC Milan
    78. The visitors have brought Jovic on in the hope of finding a goal.
    Giroud is penalised for a foul on Lascelles.
    As Newcastle steam forward, Livramento drills a cross in but Wilson has an airshot as he tries to connect with it.
    Credit: Getty
    Newcastle 1-1 AC Milan
    76. Schar is penalised for a foul as he slips and takes out the Milan player.
    It may not have been intentional but is a foul nevertheless.
    Chance for Milan to get forward and put some pressure on the Newcastle goal.
    Newcastle 1-1 AC Milan
    74. As it stands, Newcastle would go into the Europa League.
    Having a far better goal difference would be the difference between these two sides in the group table.
    Milan need another goal if they have any hope of staying in European competition.
    Newcastle 1-1 AC Milan
    72. The draw does neither of these sides any favours.
    It should be a manic final twenty minutes with both teams going for the goal that will give them the win.
    Miley comes off for Longstaff for The Magpies.
    Newcastle 1-1 AC Milan
    70. Isak does well in the box and lays it off to the edge of the box to Bruno Guimarares.
    He takes one touch before shooting and Maignan tips his effort onto the crossbar.
    So close for Newcastle.
    Newcastle 1-1 AC Milan
    68. Newcastle come forward on the counter attack.
    Joelinton feeds it to Isak, who cuts inside onto his right foot.
    His shot loops over the crossbar, a goal kick is given, despite the player telling the official it took a deflection.
    Credit: Getty
    Newcastle 1-1 AC Milan
    66. Leao is starting to cause problems for the hosts down the left.
    He drops his shoulder and tries to get to the byline to cross but Livramento does well to block for a corner.
    As the cross comes in, no Milan player can get to the ball.
    Newcastle 1-1 AC Milan
    64. Lascelles gives the ball away to Pulisic.
    Leao runs into the box and Schar lunges in with a challenge.
    The defender is lucky he did not go to ground or Newcastle would have been relying on VAR to save them.
    Newcastle 1-1 AC Milan
    62. That goal has silenced the home faithful.
    In the space of a few minutes they have gone from cloud nine to feeling distraught.
    A PSG equaliser quickly followed by a Milan leveller.
    Burn comes on for Trippier, Isak comes on for Gordon.
    Newcastle 1-1 AC Milan
    60. As the ball was crossed in, Leao looked to volley but scuffed his effort.
    It came to Giroud, who unselfishly laid it on a plate for Pulisic.
    The ex-Chelsea man side-footed it past Dubravka to equalise.
    Goal – Christian Pulisic (AC Milan) More