da pinup bet： The Magpies were on course to qualify for the last 16 thanks to Joelinton's goal but suffered a dramatic second-half collapse

da bwin： Long after the final whistle had blown at St James' Park, Bruno Guimaraes was still sitting on the pitch, exhausted and heartbroken. Just like every one of his Newcastle team-mates, he had given his all in Wednesday night's Champions League showdown with AC Milan – but the hosts had ultimately come up short, losing 2-1 to finish bottom of the 'Group of Death'.

Consequently, Eddie Howe and his players will have no European football to look forward to after Christmas but, in truth, that might be for the best. This injury-ravaged side is both mentally and physically drained right now.

They produced a heroic first-half showing against Milan, deservedly taking the lead through a terrific goal from Joelinton, who controlled a pass from Lewis Miley on the edge of the area before thumping the ball past Mike Maignan. At that point they were through to the last 16, with Paris Saint-Germain being held by the already-qualified Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park.

However, Newcastle faded badly after the interval and AC Milan killed them on the counter-attack, with Christian Pulisic tapping home a clever diversion from Oliver Giroud after some incisive play down the left flank from Rafael Leao, before Samuel Chukwueze finished a brilliant breakaway in some style.

Below, GOAL rates the Newcastle players on Tyneside…

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Martin Dubravka (5/10):

Actually had very little to do other than twice pick the ball out of the net after being left with no chance on either Milan goal.

Kieran Trippier (6/10):

Such a shame that he was forced off with a suspected knock not long after being clattered by Giroud. Had been his usual menacing self up until that point, providing plenty of fine crosses from right-back.

Jamaal Lascelles (6/10):

A solid enough showing in the centre of defence and only exposed after Newcastle pushed forward desperately late on.

Fabian Schar (6/10):

Quite comfortable for most of the game and tried to get forward whenever he could but his frustration spilled over in the final seconds, resulting in a late booking.

Tino Livramento (5/10):

Stood up well to one of the world's best wingers and definitely won the early rounds in his hugely entertaining battle with Leao, but struggled the longer the game wore on. Was lucky his poor control on halfway wasn't punished but he was to blame for playing Samuel Chukwueze on for the winner.

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Lewis Miley (7/10):

The 17-year-old has the makings of a sensational midfielder. Miley was particularly impressive in Newcastle's dominant first-half display, teeing up Joelinton for the opener, but faded in the closing stages.

Bruno Guimaraes (7/10):

A characteristically classy and industrious display from the Brazilian, who won plenty of possession and used it well, but he was running on fumes by the end, like so many of his overworked colleagues.

Joelinton (7/10):

Finishing has never been his forte but he produced a stunning strike to break the deadlock. Just reward for a spirited display.

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Miguel Almiron (3/10):

Such a painfully limited attacker. His lack of a right foot cost Newcastle dearly in the first half as his insistence on using his right allowed Fikayo Tomori to clear the ball off the line from two yards out. The fact that he stayed on the pitch until the end tells you everything you need to know about Howe's lack of options right now.

Callum Wilson (5/10):

Had plenty of shots but never looked like scoring and his link-up play was poor. A useful Premier League player but not Champions League class.

Anthony Gordon (3/10):

One of Newcastle's players of the season so far but he looked utterly spent. Failed to make any impact before being hooked early in the second half.

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Sean Longstaff (5/10):

Unable to turn the tide in Newcastle's favour after coming on for the final 20 minutes.

Alexander Isak (5/10):

Replaced the ineffective Gordon but didn't make any impact either.

Dan Burn (5/10):

Came on in place of Trippier and obviously didn't carry anything like the same attacking threat.

Eddie Howe (6/10):

Coaxed a stunning first-half display out of his exhausted side but his lack of strength in depth was exposed after the restart.