Bittersweet night for Pioli as Milan end English curse

NEWCASTLE : AC Milan finally ended their jinx away to English clubs in Europe as they beat Newcastle United 2-1 in their final Champions league Group F game on Wednesday but it was a bittersweet night for the Serie A side.

The seven-times champions came from a goal down to win thanks to Samuel Chukwueze's superb late goal just over a minute after he came on as a substitute.

It sealed Milan's first win against an English club away from home in European competition since 2005 and only their second in 22 attempts. But it was only good enough for third place in the group and a spot in the Europa League.

Had Milan won and Paris St Germain lost away to group winners Borussia Dortmund then Stefano Pioli's side would have reached the last 16 but PSG's 1-1 draw meant they edged through courtesy of a better head-to-head record.

"We're disappointed to have ended our run in the Champions League. We knew the group was tough but I believe we deserved more - we should have taken our chances in the other games," Pioli said. "We stayed in the game and played a great second half. Now we will do all we can to win the Europa League."

Former Chelsea forward Christian Pulisic equalised for Milan on the hour after Joelinton had given a dominant Newcastle the lead in the first half with a rasping drive.

"It's a massive accomplishment," Pulisic, who is the first American to score for three different teams in the Champions League, said. "We have a chance to win a great competition.

"Mixed emotions. We're pleased with the result and the performance in the second half. We needed a Dortmund win too but unfortunately it wasn't to be tonight.

"The aim (before tonight) was to stay in Europe and we've managed to achieve that. Of course we wanted to continue in