Barnes-storming end to classic encounter
HARVEY BARNES conjured a remarkable comeback to haul Eddie Howe’s side back from the brink. A seven-goal thriller had Newcastle down and out and 3-1 behind after half time, and drifting to another leaky, damaging defeat with only a quarter of an hour to go.
For an hour they were a shambles, out of ideas and spirit with a season going nowhere.
But then came that elusive spark. David Moyes will be as furious as Newcastle boss Eddie
Howe is galvanised by the magic that two-goal Barnes found.
Hammers boss Moyes said: “We did a lot of good things but didn’t defend well enough. It’s not easy.
“We have lost a game when we should have won a game.”
It started well for the Geordies.
Alexander Isak (left) converted a fifth-minute penalty won by England winger Anthony Gordon who was fouled byvladimir Coufal.
Then Lucas Paqueta released Michail Antonio free on goal and he finished crisply past Toon keeper Martin Dubravka.
The Hammers took the lead through a Mohammed Kudus goal and should have sealed the points when Jarrod Bowen made it three. Newcastle got one back when sub Kalvin Phillips kicked Gordon in the box and Isak converted his second spot-kick of the game with 13 minutes to go.
And sub Barnes had the last laugh. He netted an equaliser in the 83rd minute, sliding a shot under Lukasz Fabianski’s legs.then he gathered the ball on the left, cut inside and rifled home a curling effort from 28 yards.
Barnes said: “It was one of the maddest games I have played in.
“My playing time has been limited so every time I am on the pitch I want to help the team. The atmosphere here is always amazing. It is a great feeling.”
Howe said: “A brilliant advert for the Premier League with the drama and changes and flows of momentum.the players responded to adversity.”
NEWCASTLE: Dubravka 5, Livramento 5 (Almiron 57, 3) (Barnes 66, 9), Lascelles 5 (Krafth 17, 6) (Hall 57, 7), Schar 6, Burn 6; Longstaff 6, Guimaraes 7, Willock 5 (Anderson 57, 7); Murphy 6, Gordon 8, Isak 8. WEST HAM: Areola 6 (Fabianski 45, 6), Coufal 5, Mavropanos 5, Emerson 5, Zouma 5, Soucek 5, Lucas Paquetá 7, Kudus 7, Wardprowse 6, Bowen 7, Antonio 6 (Phillips 69, 3).
MAN OF THE MATCH: HARVEY BARNES – Came back from injury and rifled home twice to rescue a win in a brilliant cameo.
REF: R Jones