Eddie Howe felt Newcastle United fell into the Champions League play-off round in "the best possible way" after a 1-1 draw at holders Paris Saint-Germain left both sides outside the top eight.

The two teams had entered Wednesday's final matchday of the league phase both in position for an automatic last-16 place.

But with results going against them elsewhere, only a victory would see either side maintain that place, and they could not be separated at the Parc des Princes.

PSG led through Vitinha's fine early strike, but a Joe Willock header on the stroke of half-time brought Newcastle level, and they could even have snatched victory after an entertaining encounter.

After a win and a draw in the 2023-24 group stage, Newcastle are the only team to have played PSG three or more times in the Champions League and not lose, while Howe is the first manager to go unbeaten through his first three meetings with Luis Enrique in the competition.

Although the Magpies must now play Monaco or Qarabag to reach the last 16, they head into that tie with momentum.

"We wanted to win tonight, we didn't want the extra games, but we'll take it," Howe said.

"We went down that route in the best possible way with a great performance against the holders. There's a lot to be positive about."

Indeed, it could have been a far more difficult evening for Newcastle, who had required Nick Pope to save an Ousmane Dembele penalty even before Vitinha scored – the fourth-earliest penalty save in a Champions League match since 2003-04 (three minutes, 49 seconds).

The spot-kick was awarded for an unfortunate handball by Lewis Miley, bringing back memories of Newcastle's last trip to Paris when a contentious penalty denied them victory after Tino Livramento was adjudged to have handled in stoppage time.

Even though Newcastle later conceded and then recovered on Wednesday, Howe felt the harsh early award made life difficult for his side, and he was frustrated to see appeals for a similar decision against Marquinhos waved away at the other end.

Speaking to TNT Sports, the Newcastle head coach said: "There was a lot going on in that game that we had to deal with. Not just the opponents, who are an outstanding team, but decisions that went against us as well – none more so than the handball.

"[It was] deja vu for us two years on. I couldn't believe it.

"I know Nick saved the penalty, but it created a feeling that contributed to the early stage of the game, where we were under pressure, and the lads did really well to see that out.

"I don't think it's a handball anyway for Lewis. It's clearly unintentional, it's hit the other player's arm first. A combination of things go against us there.

"And of course, if that is given then you want consistency the other way. That wasn't applied, but that's where I think we did really well. They're an outstanding team, so I don't think they need help from anybody."