Ally McCoist completely 'surprised' at baffling Eddie Howe decision in Newcastle vs Barcelona
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(Credit: Imago)
Oliver Walton
Thu 18 September 2025 22:05, UK
Ally McCoist was left shocked at a decision by Eddie Howe in Newcastle’s Champions League clash against Barcelona that eventually went on to haunt them.
Newcastle took the game to Barcelona in the first-half at St James’ Park with great intensity that was reminiscent of the way they played in their 4-1 thrashing of PSG two seasons ago.
The Champions League was well and truly back on Tyneside, despite an exciting first-half ending with no goals for either side, and Anthony Elanga was a part of everything that the hosts did well as he gave Gerard Martin nightmares.
Elanga, who joined Newcastle from Nottingham Forest in the summer, created two big chances for his side that were wasted by both Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes.
He looked set to continue to do so in the second-half with the scores locked at 0-0, but as Newcastle went a goal down from Marcus Rashford’s header, Eddie Howe made a surprising decision that did his side no favours.
Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media
Rashford’s opener was well-taken, and it had felt like it was coming after the Catalan giants had started the second period on the front foot.
Just five minutes after his goal, with Howe aiming to change things up to get his team back into the game, Elanga was taken off the pitch in place of Jacob Murphy.
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Co-commentator McCoist expressed his surprise at the decision to haul the Swede off while speaking live on TNT Sports during the game on Thursday (18 September, 9:24pm), after lead commentator Darren Fletcher had questioned the choice, saying: “Yeah I wouldn’t disagree with you there.
I get it totally, you want to completely freshen things up, but…”
Elanga’s substitution initially looked to be a poor decision by Howe as the hosts conceded a second to Rashford shortly after, but Murphy soon imposed himself on the tie with a late assist for Gordon as Newcastle lost 2-1 against Barcelona.
Elanga has been consistently impressive since he moved to St James’ Park from Forest in July, with the move coming off the back of a great personal season for him in the East Midlands.
Premier League legend Matt Le Tissier criticised the £55million that Newcastle paid for Elanga, but he has proved to be worth that amount up to now, and will surely be a consistent starter under Howe from now on in after shining against La Liga’s champions.
AppearancesGoalsAssists1171423Elanga’s Premier League career stats
Elanga actually impressed as a striker on international duty for Sweden during the last international break, but Anthony Gordon has played there for the Magpies while Nick Woltemade has been getting up to speed instead of him.
Gordon and Woltemade’s respectively lacklustre showings against Barcelona on Thursday could point to another new option striker potentially being explored by Howe, even maybe alongside the latter after the Swede shone up-front next to Viktor Gyokeres.