Interesting to read these comments from BBC Sport, following Newcastle United’s 1-1 draw against PSG in the Champions League.
The comments from neutral people in particular tell…
It was very different to what Newcastle United fans had come to expect from BBC Sport’s ‘neutrals’.
BBC Sport comments from neutrals in the past have largely been a catalog of abuse directed at NUFC supporters.
Particularly stuff about the owners of Newcastle United and the media-inspired fuss that NUFC fans have become accustomed to when they are blamed for who now owns their club.
On this occasion, politics were completely absent, focusing instead on matters on the ground…
The BBC Sport readers comments from neutral sides, not PSG fans but an RC Lens fan, some Aston Villa fans, one or two Newcastle supporters also contribute (as well as the odd Sunderland supporter pretending to be a Newcastle fan…):
‘Villa fan.
That was never a punishment. Great rescue. Amazing that Newcastle didn’t get one at the other end in similar circles, isn’t it?
I thought Newcastle played very well tonight.
I’m glad to see Ramsey getting minutes and really making a difference.
Too bad Barnes couldn’t score the shot at the end.
Good luck in the play-offs. ‘
‘I know we all hate the ‘corrupt’ conspiracy rants against referees, but the decisions in that match were probably the worst, most one-sided and mind-bogglingly bad I have ever seen. Newcastle could have won that if the table wasn’t against them.’
‘I’m sure Var will give the home teams an advantage
I’m sure it’s like they’re moving the bar
What’s the difference between that and marquenios?
Or the blatant pen about Gordon
Shocking reference tonight
Var was also broken when it was demolished’
‘The ball came off the attacker’s arm first, that’s why I don’t think it was a penalty.
I don’t think it was given either.
Miley fluttered for the ball, but if it hadn’t come off the attacker’s arm, it wouldn’t have been where his arm was. If that makes sense.
Reminds me of the pinball claim for Arsenal against Villa, which wasn’t given because it hit the striker’s arm first.’
‘Absolute rubbish, just accept that Newcastle aren’t good enough for the top 8 and stop blaming referees and var, it’s becoming a boring feature at Newcastle this season. ‘
‘SME’
‘The most diabolical penalty decision I’ve seen… since the last time we played PSG. What chance do we have if match officials make such decisions?
Well done Nick Pope for the save.’
‘There were at least THREE pen calls for NUFC that were more real than PSG’s. PSG handball, Burn pushed over, Gordon made a mistake in the penalty area.
And I’ve never seen a player get a yellow card for being fouled like Elanga, while still getting the free kick.”
“RC Lens fan here.
Typical PSG, always the referee in his pocket, nasty club with nasty fans.
Well done Newcastle and good luck in the next round.”
‘Anyone would think that the president of PSG is on the board of UEFA…’
Oh, wait a minute.’
‘Villa fan in peace.. Bad luck guys… Good luck in the play-offs every year’
‘Newcastle United had three penalties averted for a much bigger penalty than PSG conceded.’
‘Ref was a disgrace. Well played Newcastle.’
‘Great change, great point and could have been a win for Toon. Very questionable referees, which I won’t try to read too much into, especially after our last visit to Paris. Also congratulations to Willock, you deserved that goal. More of this please’
‘Tough when you play against the European champion and the referee’
‘My advice to whoever Monaco and Qarabag get PSG in the play-offs is to have your goalkeeper practice penalties all week in the run-up to your match against PSG. We all know why.’
‘Monaco or Qarabag in the play-offs. And whoever we get, we will be home in the second leg, so reasons to be positive.’
‘These two can only now meet in the final and both Monaco and Qarabag are winnable play-offs. Good luck to Newcastle in this and the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final.”
‘Proud of our so called no hopers who didn’t stand a chance, we were unlucky not to beat one of the best teams in Europe so it will take away a lot from the game and once again show the strength we have and want to take on anyone who has more than two legs, so proud of players and backroom staff but the biggest shout out goes to our amazing traveling support who are proud to be a Geordie.’
‘Of all the English teams I’ll stick my neck out and say that. Despite a draw, that was the best English performance tonight.’
“Ramsey looked a lot more like himself tonight. Last season he played and scored for us in the CL, he has pace and is able to break through, just like tonight with that shot. I think he can do well for Newcastle in the long term if he gets opportunities like he did tonight.
But I have my villa-tinted glasses on.
I thought a lot of Newcastle players were excellent tonight.”
‘UEFA must be disappointed after that result.
I can’t believe the sentencing decisions; give the PSG penalty, but not Newcastle’s.
Elanga is shown a yellow card for a foul.
Some very strange decisions in that match.’
PSG 1 Newcastle 1 – Wednesday January 28, 2026 8:00 PM
Match statistics
Goals:
Newcastle United:
Willock 45+2
PSG:
Vitinha 8
Possess was Newcastle 33% PSG 67%
Total shots were Newcastle 10 PSG 25
Shots on target were Newcastle 4 PSG 7
Corners were Newcastle 1 PSG 5
Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 25 PSG 48
Newcastle team vs PSG:
Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Ramsey, Willock (Barnes 68), Elanga (Gordon 67), Woltemade (Wissa 79)
Unused subs:
Ramsdale, Harris, Trippier, Osula, Jacob Murphy, Alex Murphy, Bruno, Shahar
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