Eddie Howe defends Nick Pope after error leads to Newcastle collapse in France

Eddie Howe has defended Nick Pope after the goalkeeper’s rush of blood set Marseille on the road to Champions League victory over Newcastle.

The Magpies were leading 1-0 at the Stade Velodrome when, just seconds after the restart, the England international raced from his line in a vain attempt to beat Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to the ball and saw the 36-year-old round him before finishing from an unlikely angle.

Pope was beaten by the former Arsenal frontman for a second time just four minutes late as the Ligue 1 outfit secured a 2-1 win to kickstart their campaign and deny the Magpies a fourth successive three-point haul.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the double