6 mins Malick Thiaw passed the ball to Joe Willock on the right edge of the box and after Jacob Murphy's run wasn't spotted, Sandro Tonali got behind the Marseille defence in acres of space.

He had time to pick out Anthony Gordon and the scruffy contact from him fell perfectly to Harvey Barnes who hit a first-time left-footed effort into the corner of the net from 12 yards out. A VAR check soon confirmed Tonali was well onside. 1-0

Half time: Marseille 0 Newcastle 1

46 mins Newcastle kicked off and a long forward ball reached Dan Burn out on the left touchline, his header infield reaching Bruno Guimaraes. He lost possession to Darryl Bakola, who played played a through ball down the right to the onrushing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with Thiaw nearby.

Inexplicably, Nick Pope came hurtling out of his area but never had any chance of intercepting the pass. Aubameyang easily side-stepped the visiting goalkeeper, but still had a lot to do to find the open net. However his curling shot was well measured and went between the posts.

Only 19 seconds of the half had elapsed when the ball crossed the line. 1-1

50 mins Timothy Weah ran at Tino Livramento down the Marseille right and gained half a yard, allowing him to cross to the near post. Aubameyang got ahead of Fabian Schar and made firm contact to divert the ball over Pope's despairing flail and into the net at the Virage Sud End. 1-2

Full time: Marseille 2 Newcastle 1

Eddie Howe said:

"That was particularly painful. We’d worked ourselves into a strong position but 10 minutes at the start of the second half cost us. It’s a big disappointment because we played so well in the first half.

"There’s a big feeling of frustration. We dealt well with the hostile atmosphere but we didn’t react well to their first goal. It was a concentration lapse. We’re bruised but we’ll come back better.

"I thought the effort was good. I think the start of the second half, obviously, was a big one for us - 15 minutes at the start of the second half, I thought, cost us.

"I thought we handled the atmosphere really well in the first half and even towards the end of the game, I felt there were chances for us to score

"I think the goal straight away, near enough, after half-time, changes the whole feeling around the stadium and the game itself.

"It was just a lapse of concentration from our perspective, I think. Then we didn't maybe react well enough to that. We conceded the second and from there it was difficult."

On Nick Pope:

"Nick has saved us many, many times, he made some really good saves against Manchester City just two days ago, that's the life of a goalkeeper. But I certainly back him."

On not starting with Nick Woltemade:

"With Nick, we have to rest and rotate because physically he’s giving a lot. We need to make sure he’s fit and available, established on the line, and we have to be very careful with his load.”

"Also, when he plays, I want him fresh and able to give his very best. He’s had a really intense period. He did well when he came on, though. I thought he helped our performance.”

On his reasons for starting Anthony Gordon as a false 9:

"Two fold really. Protecting Nick and trying to give him the energy for future games, but also getting Anthony’s pace and direct running into the team.

"I thought he did well in the first half and played a big part in our press, helping us regain the ball high. That was all part of playing him.”

Former Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi said:

"Apart from the first ten minutes where we were a bit out of sorts, we played a good match. We had a lot of chances. We weren't under much pressure and we played well. I'm happy, happy for the players, Bakola, Vermeeren, Weah, Rulli… they all played well.

Darryl Bakola impressed me a lot, even in the first half when he misplaced a few passes. I liked his courage. Players need to play to mature. They're not apricots that need to stay on the tree to ripen.

"It was necessary to take that risk. The stadium is generous to young players from the academy. I preferred him to Gomes because of his physique. He could have been a valuable asset. I asked him to play as if he were playing with his friends.

"I was very calm and composed at half time. I told them to keep playing like that and that we would win. I felt something positive. I saw him (Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang) in good form in the first half.

"He has nothing to prove. His only drawback is that he's 37 years old. I hope he can play for another 10 years because he's truly a great champion.

"We had chances in the first half but we didn't score. We were close to the goal. There was the desire to attack, the spirit, but we needed to adjust a couple of things. I asked Weah to dribble more, Bakola too, to be more creative… There wasn't much more we could have done, apart from scoring, even though that's a lot.

"We have six points in the Champions League, we deserved a bit more. In the league too, we're second behind PSG. We need to be more demanding about the quality of our play, and here, we can do more. We're competitive in both competitions, and on top of that, we have injuries. With so many injuries, our rivals aren't getting the same results.

"(Igor Paixao) had to make a lot of sacrifices because Newcastle had never played a 5-4-1 formation. That surprised us. Someone had to take on Murphy. We adjusted things. Paixao does a different job than Greenwood. He also played well in Nice. 

"Success is important for morale and self-esteem. There shouldn't be any regrets. We could have won the last three matches. We couldn't go home tonight with regrets."