BBC Sport comments from ‘neutrals’ – Interesting on Newcastle United after 2-1 Barcelona defeat | OneFootball

Interesting to read through these BBC Sport comments, following on from Newcastle United losing 2-1 to Barcelona.

The comments from neutrals especially telling…

A lot of it different to what Newcastle United fans had come to expect from the BBC Sport ‘neutrals’.

The BBC Sport comments from neutrals in the past had been overwhelmingly a catalogue of abuse aimed at NUFC supporters.

Particularly stuff about the Newcastle United owners and the media-inspired pile-ons that NUFC fans have become used to, when blamed for who now owns their club.

On this occasion the politics entirely absent, concentrating instead on matters on the pitch and United losing…

The BBC Sport readers comments from neutrals, no Barcelona fans but the odd Newcastle supporter also contributing:

‘I felt Newcastle performed well and the tactic of creating early chances with pace and pressing nearly paid off. Was always going to be diminishing returns after the first 20 minutes but the overall display was very good, albeit with some shoddy final balls as legs got tired. Barca’s midfield is pure class though.’

‘Before the game we were continually fed the line that Newcastle’s midfield was pure class!

Best in the Premier League apparently?

Apparently not!’

‘Are you aware that tonight’s game was not a Premier League fixture? Newcastle’s midfield is pure class, and arguably the best in the league. It’s a measure of the abilities of de Jong and Pedri in particular that they dominated that battle as the game went on.’

‘Barca not at their best but good enough. Cracking goals from Rashford. Newcastle gave it a good go but don’t quite have the quality to go with the effort.’

‘Newcastle’s games against Barcelona & PSG won’t decide their fate and they’re easily good enough to get 11-12 points from the other 6 fixtures. Good luck to them I say. UTV.’

‘Agreed, this was a free hit and Newcastle perhaps deserved a draw to be fair. The other fixtures have been kind and plenty of points on offer against other unseeded teams.’

‘A worse team than the current Newcastle side with much less depth on the bench were unlucky not to get a 1-0 win in Paris 2 years ago, with a very controversial VAR penalty decision deep in stoppage time relegating it to a draw.

After a narrow defeat against Barca, with confidence and familiarity improving as the new signings bed in, there’s no reason Newcastle can’t get a result there again.’

‘Starting Gordon up front was really baffling. Eddy dropped a clanger there.’

‘Not really, The games are coming thick and fast and Big Nick isn’t going to last playing a game every 3 days. Need to rotate the squad.’

‘Also , starting Linton, is nonsensical.’

‘His name is Joelinton. Not Joe Linton.’

‘He’s nursing the new lad in and not putting too much pressure on him too early. He knows what he’s doing, this is not his first rodeo.

If you are looking for someone to blame for this situation, blame Mr Isak, not Eddie. He might have been a difference-maker had he made different decisions, instead he’s an anchor around Liverpool’s neck for now.’

‘Wether it’s Newcastle or Manchester, United fans are feeling pretty sick tonight. Great game Marcus.’

‘What is it with players who played for Man United playing better when they leave the club.’

‘Seems pretty obvious – less media and fan pressure, able to play with more freedom.

But naturally, the commenters who always complain when there’s an article about Man United, never miss a chance to make it about Man United here.’

‘People talking like there’s no media or pressure in Spain especially playing for either Barcelona or Real.’

‘Perhaps Rashford was trying harder, something he didn’t do at Man Utd.’

‘Newcastle buy a centre forward with height who can hold up play but bench him for Gordon who isn’t a forward. Barca grew in to the game and scored 2 great goals.

Barca’s defence not really tested. Took Elanga off who was your biggest threat.

Strange tactics by Howe.

Felt with Elangas pace and Woltemade up front you could have caused Barca problems tonight.’

‘A 0-0 would have been fair and surprised no-one who had watched the first half carefully.

The header against a concussed marker aside, a team with the quality of Barcelona has several players more than capable of scoring a worldie out of nothing in any given game. Newcastle have one or two as well, in fairness. But statistically you’d expect Barca to win more games like that than Newcastle.’

‘Putting Antony Gordon up front instead of a striker you just paid £65m for is a very strange decision. Gordon is useless as a striker. If he starts Woltemade, then he has a chance of seizing the game early because Newcastle began the game on fire. Honestly it is baffling how people in such high profile positions, including referees can make such schoolboy errors.’

‘Putting too much pressure on a young striker making his debut in European football – not just Champions League – might have been an even bigger mistake.

Woltemade won’t go home tonight blaming himself for the defeat, in fact his part in Newcastle’s goal was significant. Howe knows what he is doing which is why he’s a Premier League football manager and you’re… whatever you are.’

‘Newcastle were schooled tonight. Barca midfield showed Bruno and JoeLinton that you cannot bully games at this level.

It was a pleasure to watch Pedro, De Jong etc give a masterclass on keeping the ball, perfect passing and dictating the pace.

Saying that – in the moments when Newcastle were on top, they had the chances to win the game.

Great game to watch, but Toon need more quality.’

‘Barcelona kept a hold of the ball well but did very little with it until Rashford got impatient and stepped up.

They then nearly threw it away at the end by allowing Pot 4 Newcastle to get a late goal back, making it a needlessly nervy period of added time for them.

They would expect to do better against Pot 4 teams in terms of goal difference, but probably understand Newcastle are under-seeded.’

‘Sorry, but Pride and Passion doesnt win football matches.’

‘Are you talking about Newcastle fans supporting their team and enjoying football? Weird comment.’

‘I don’t get it. Supporters of other English teams are happy when a rival loses in Europe. I support them all. Why do you think we got an extra CL place for this season?’

‘It’s only one or two “supporters of other English teams” and they are mainly from that entitled north-west cluster.

I think most football fans across the country are happy to give Newcastle their best wishes, from what I read in comments. You have to filter out the loudest, most arrogant voices, they disqualify themselves.’

‘Redemption for Rashford. He has been mistreated for being well mannered and GOD has rescued him from THAT SINKING SHIP!’

‘Rubbish, went off to Ireland drinking and missed training, had one good season and got a new contract and was rubbish from then on.’

‘Newcastle are about the standard of your average championship team as has been proved by their 4 league games so far this season, the gulf in class between them and Barcelona was embarrassing an early champions league exit just like 2 years ago followed by a relegation battle is on the cards…’

‘You see….the idiots and haters on here are brainless. We got beat, no problem!! Barcelona a great team, no shame there. Isak saga is over, get over it and move on! We just had a fantastic night at the toon stadium, with real home grown fans. Our colours don’t run. …..toon toon’

Newcastle 1 Barcelona 2 – Thursday 18 September 2025 8pm

(Stats via BBC Sport)

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Gordon 90

Barcelona:

Rashford 58, 67

Possession was Newcastle 36% Barcelona 64%

Total shots were Newcastle 10 Barcelona 19

Shots on target were Newcastle 6 Barcelona 5

Corners were Newcastle 6 Barcelona 4

Touches in the box Newcastle 28 Barcelona 38

Newcastle team v Barcelona:

Pope, Trippier (Botman 76), Schar (Thiaw 63), Burn, Livramento, Tonali, Bruno, Joelinton (Willock 62), Barnes (Woltemade 62), Gordon, Elanga (Murphy 63)

Unused subs:

Thompson, Ramsdale, Hall, Krafth, Osula, Miley, A Murphy

These seven remaining NUFC Champions League fixtures for Newcastle United:

Wednesday 1st October: Union SG vs Newcastle United (kick-off 5:45pm BST)

Tuesday 21st October: Newcastle United vs Benfica (kick-off 8pm BST)

Wednesday 5th November: Newcastle United vs Athletic Club (kick-off 8pm BST)

Tuesday 25th November: Olympique Marseille vs Newcastle United (kick-off 8pm BST)

Wednesday 10th December: Bayer Leverkusen vs Newcastle United (kick-off 8pm BST)