Eddie Howe can look no further than one Newcastle United player following the Champions League defeat to Marseille.
Newcastle United were beaten 2-1 by Marseille on Tuesday night, ending their run of consecutive Champions League victories.
While they are still in a strong position, it was infuriating to see the Magpies throw away a lead after Harvey Barnes’ early goal.
It is another away defeat for Eddie Howe’s side, and former Toon defender Stuart Pearce believes the finger can only be pointed at Nick Pope.
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Stuart Pearce blames Nick Pope after Newcastle United lose to Marseille
Stuart Pearce spoke about Newcastle United’s defeat to Marseille on the TalkSPORT Daily podcast.
He admitted that Nick Pope’s error for Marseille’s equaliser cost the Magpies, with the two sides evenly matched before that moment.
“It was solely the mistake by the goalkeeper,” he said.
“It was even stevens, this game, I would say, on the run of play. But a horrific five minutes, led by that mistake by Nick Pope, just after half time, really killed Newcastle.”
After the game, Eddie Howe gave his backing to Pope, admitting it is the life of a goalkeeper just days after a strong performance against Manchester City.
Alas, this is the third away game in a row that Pope has made a pivotal mistake in between the sticks.
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It is harsh, but Pearce is absolutely correct. Pope is to blame for Newcastle United losing, with his rush of blood to the head handing Marseille momentum.
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The atmosphere was electric all night, but it went up a notch as soon as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored the equaliser. Pope tried to put him off after his mistake, but it did not matter.
From that moment, Marseille grew in confidence and scored what proved to be the winner just a few minutes later.
A disastrous five minutes cost Newcastle United, with poor game management once again hindering them away from home.
Howe’s side have won just once away from St James’ Park this season. That was the 4-0 victory over Union Saint-Gilloise in Brussels.
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