Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored two goals in four minutes as Marseille completed a Champions League turnaround to beat Newcastle 2-1 at the Stade Velodrome.
Newcastle opened the scoring after just six minutes when Harvey Barnes netted his fourth goal in the competition. It was part of a rampant start for the away side, who had just moments prior seen Malick Thiaw’s header cleared off the line by former Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
However, bursting out of the blocks in the second half, Aubameyang latched onto Darryl Bakola’s through pass, making an on-rushing Nick Pope look comical as he took a touch past him and curled home despite the hopeful distance and the tight angle.
In a flash, the 36-year-old Aubameyang who doesn’t seem to have lost much of his pace, ghosted into the area to tap home Timothy Weah’s cross to complete the turnaround.
The former Arsenal and Chelsea man’s 19th and 20th Champions League goals denied Newcastle a fourth straight Champions League win and the chance to climb to fourth.
Aubameyang has enjoyed a renaissance in Marseille, with his brace taking him to 16 goal contributions for the season in 16 games. Marseille also ended a 15-year wait for a win over English opposition with their last victory coming in 2010 against Chelsea.
In failing to build on their momentum after an impressive display over Manchester City in the Premier League, Eddie Howe’s side risk dropping out of the top eight after Wednesday’s action. Defeat compounds Newcastle’s issues on the road as the Magpies have just one win in their last 11 away from home.
More to follow…
Story of the match in stats…