Player ratings: Newcastle stun PSG with 4-1 victory, sending a strong Champions League message

FROM ST JAMES' PARK - Newcastle United moved to the top of Champions League Group F with a famous 4-1 win over French champions Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night.

Newcastle went ahead after just 17 minutes with their first Champions League goal at St James' Park since 2003 as Miguel Almiron slotted home after reacting brilliantly to Gianluigi Donnarumma's save from Alexander Isak.

The second goal arrived just before the break as Dan Burn's header - after a lengthy check by VAR - was given despite a great attempt by Donnarumma to keep it out.

Sean Longstaff then added the third just after the re-start as he broke into the box and fired his shot under the despairing Donnarumma - who knew the game was gone.

PSG did pull one back with Lucas Hernandez's header just before the hour mark but that proved no more than a mere consolation as Newcastle added a fourth in injury time, and it was the pick of the bunch as Fabian Schar curled home from 25-yards after exchanging passes with Isak.

The result means Eddie Howe has his first ever win in Europe as a manager, as St James' Park saluted their heroes who claimed a victory that will live long in the memory of the vast majority of the 52,000 crowd.

PSG almost went ahead with the first meaningful attack of the game just five minutes in. They countered on the left through Kylian Mbappe, floating a ball to the back-post for Ousmane Dembele, who fired his volley just wide - but that was as good as it got for the visitors in the first half.

Newcastle began to gradually work their way into the game and half chances came and went for Isak and Almiron. The Paraguayan then won a free-kick 25-yards out from goal - with Kieran Trippier stepping up and looking for goal, but he couldn't beat the wall.

But it was soon Almiron who broke the deadlock and PSG only had themselves to blame. Marquinhos attempted to clear the ball but Bruno Guimaraes was able to nod the ball down into the path of Alexander Isak, his shot was brilliantly saved by Donnarumma but it fell for Almiron to curl the ball home.

PSG were not without their chances, with Warren Zaire-Emery and Goncalo Ramos firing just wide but they had still not tested Nick Pope in the Newcastle goal with 30 minutes on the clock.

Then came the second goal for Newcastle just before half-time but it played out in bizarre fashion as it was another VAR inspired situation. It all stemmed again from Almiron on the right as he won a free-kick off Hernandez who was also booked. The free-kick on the corner of the box was swung in by Trippier, Donnarumma pulled off a wonderful save from Jamal Lascelles and then again from Burn. But the VAR took a closer look at the Burn chance and after a long delay, the goal was given.

PSG looked totally out of sorts. The visitors looked to try and start the second-half strongly, but it was Newcastle who extended their lead just five minutes after the re-start. Trippier fed Longstaff into the box and his low shot squirmed under Donnarumma and into the net to send the Gallowgate end wild.

PSG, though, did get one back just before the hour mark with their first attempt on goal - a lovely ball over the top of the defence from Zaire-Emery was met by Hernandez to head home and give the visitors a little hope.

However, it was Newcastle who ended on a high by adding a fourth. Schar won the ball in midfield and exhanged passes with Isak before curling the ball home to seal the win, which means the Magpies top their group after the night's other game finished 0-0 between Borussia Dortmund and Milan.