But Newcastle discovered a approach to climb it.

Following some sturdy phrases at half-time, the guests rallied after the break and received 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 subject 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 every other workforce 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 at some stage.

Newcastle could have hit the upright by way of substitute Jacob Murphy after getting in entrance, however Howe’s aspect started to drop deep in opposition to 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 stated.

“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 must do.”

Newcastle stay heading in the right direction for a minimum of a play-off spot and are solely a few factors off the automated qualification locations for the final 16.

However Howe’s workforce can’t 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 per week later.

“We now have all of it to show,” Howe added. “The 2 video games we’ve are very troublesome video games however I consider within the group. Wherever we go, if we’re close to our greatest, we are able to win.”