Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang rolled back the years as the veteran Marseille forward scored a quickfire double to stun Newcastle United in the Champions League.
The English side’s struggles away from home continued as their hosts came from behind thanks to two goals from the 36-year-old former Arsenal and Chelsea frontman at a febrile Stade Velodrome.
The in-form Harvey Barnes gave Newcastle the dream start after opening the scoring with a clinical sixth-minute finish from inside the box.
That followed a brilliant headed clearance off the line from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to deny Magpies defender Malick Thiaw.
But the visitors – who have won just once on their travels this season – dropped off and allowed Marseille to dominate possession and create a number of opportunities for Aubameyang.
Although he spurned a series of openings in the first half, the Gabon international looked more like his old self after the break.
The second half had only just got underway when 17-year-old Darryl Bakola played a through-ball into the right-hand channel behind Newcastle’s defence.
Nick Pope, sensing Aubameyang was racing on to it, rushed off his line in an attempt to get there first, but the Newcastle goalkeeper was caught in no man’s land as the forward finished superbly from a tight angle out on the right-hand side.
Marseille made it two goals in four minutes when Timothy Weah darted past Tino Livramento down the right and picked out Aubameyang, who got ahead of Fabian Schar to hook the ball home at the near post.
The goal sent the French side’s manager, Roberto de Zerbi, dancing down the touchline in delight.
And the former Brighton boss was punching the air at full-time as Marseille claimed their second Champions League win of the season to move up to 19th place in the standings, while Newcastle are eighth.
Newcastle analysis: Away-day frustrations continue after good start
It has become a familiar theme.
As good as Newcastle have been at home, they continue to struggle on the road – even when ahead.
Howe’s side have taken the lead in each of their last three away games, against Marseille, Brentford and West Ham, only to lose all three.
And this defeat will certainly sting, just days after an impressive Premier League win against Manchester City at St James’ Park.
But Newcastle only had themselves to blame.
The visitors did not press home their advantage and will have been relieved to still be ahead at half-time after Marseille spurned a number of early openings.
But it was Marseille who looked like they had a jolt at the break, not least Aubameyang.
Boss Howe felt the frontman looked “as good as ever” before this game, and those words proved rather prophetic.
But how Newcastle will rue their sloppy kick-off, even before Pope’s rush of blood to the head, after the visitors gave the ball away and failed to win a number of duels in Marseille’s half.
Anthony Gordon had his head in his hands following Aubameyang’s equaliser, but Newcastle’s evening went from bad to worse just a few minutes later when he put Marseille in front to leave Schar stunned on the turf.
Howe turned to his bench – calling on Lewis Hall, Lewis Miley, Anthony Elanga and record signing Nick Woltemade – but his side never truly looked like equalising.
Remarkably, this team has won only once – 4-0 at Union St Gilloise in the Champions League – on their travels in all competitions in the last seven months.
What’s next for these teams?
Marseille host Toulouse at the Stade Velodrome in Ligue 1 on Saturday, 29 November (20:05 GMT), and visit Union St Gilloise in the Champions League on Tuesday, 9 December (20:00 GMT).
Newcastle travel to Everton in the Premier League on Saturday, 29 November (17:30 GMT), and travel to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Wednesday, 10 December (20:00 GMT).
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