Eddie Howe sticks up for players after Newcastle crash out of Europe

Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe was a disappointed man after seeing his side slip out of Europe (Mike Egerton/PA

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe defended his players after a Europa League place slipped from their grasp as they tried to secure a Champions League berth.

The Magpies were dumped out of Europe all together as a result of their 2-1 home defeat by AC Milan on a night when they had one foot in the last 16 of the premier competition, then looked destined for the lesser only to end up empty-handed.