But Newcastle discovered a technique to climb it.
Following some sturdy phrases at half-time, the guests rallied after the break and gained a penalty courtesy of Nick Woltemade aggressively urgent Leverkusen goalkeeper Mark Flekken.
And after equalising from the spot, Gordon then went on to arrange substitute Lewis Miley’s header to place Newcastle in entrance.
Nevertheless, one other acquainted difficulty reared its head.
Regardless of taking the lead within the 74th minute, Newcastle have been unable to see out the sport.
This aspect have dropped extra factors from profitable positions – 11 – than some other crew within the Premier League.
They’ve didn’t win 4 of their previous 5 away video games in all competitions regardless of taking the lead in all of them.
Newcastle might have hit the upright via substitute Jacob Murphy after moving into entrance, however Howe’s aspect started to drop deep towards Leverkusen late on, consciously or not.
And Grimaldo’s intelligent dummy took Newcastle’s midfield out of the sport earlier than Leverkusen’s talisman levelled.
It was a well-recognized story for Howe.
“I do not suppose it is ever a case of sitting again and absorbing stress,” the Newcastle head coach mentioned.
“That is not primary in our purpose, however it’s essential to do no matter it takes to win. Generally that’s par for the course, that is what you need to do.”
Newcastle stay heading in the right direction for no less than a play-off spot and are solely a few factors off the automated qualification locations for the final 16.
However Howe’s crew can not afford to let historical past repeat itself after they host a PSV aspect who’re beginning to hit type, on 21 January, earlier than a visit to the Parc des Princes to tackle holders Paris St-Germain every week later.
“We have now all of it to show,” Howe added. “The 2 video games we’ve got are very tough video games however I imagine within the group. Wherever we go, if we’re close to our greatest, we will win.”
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