Newcastle 4-3 West Ham: Player ratings as late Barnes brace earns Magpies chaotic win
Newcastle enjoyed a chaotic return to the Premier League as they came from behind to beat West Ham with two late goals from stellar substitute Harvey Barnes in Saturday’s early kick-off.
The already-depleted Magpies were hit with injuries throughout the clash at St James‘ Park but Eddie Howe’s changes proved useful as his substitutions made some of the biggest impacts.
A game of pure chaos, both sides were given chance to lead, yet Newcastle stormed ahead to secure victory.
How the game unfolded
Newcastle were quick to open the scoring after a clumsy foul by Vladimir Coufal knocked Anthony Gordon to the ground, awarding a penalty to the Magpies in the first two minutes of the game. A simple shot was delivered by Alexander Isak, reaching the back of the net with ease.
A perfect start from Newcastle quickly turned sour, as captain Jamaal Lascelles suffered a knee collision and collapsed. He tried to run it off but was soon forced off the pitch, prompting Emil Krafth to come on in his place.
A change of shape was thrust upon Howe’s side as Krafth slotted in at right-back, with Tino Livramento moving to left-back and Dan Burn sitting in the centre.
The Hammers took advantage of Newcastle’s changes to defence, charging up the pitch and utilising their high press to gain a goal back. A ball over the top from Lucas Paqueta picked out Michail Antonio, who produced a stunning finish to equalise.
Ten minutes were added to the first half due to VAR checks and Lascelles‘ injury, but Newcastle wasted no time in creating another chance. Jacob Murphy found Bruno Guimaraes, who aimed a powerful shot at the bar. Play was immediately switched as Burn chased down Mohammed Kudus to prevent him from scoring.
Kudus refused to be silenced however, as just minutes later a free kick reached him and he was able to fire a shot into the back of the net.
When the game resumed after the break, Bowen confirmed he is indeed on fire, lashing a clinical shot towards the Newcastle goal to gift the Hammers a 3-1 lead.
The Magpies returned with confidence as a foul on Gordon handed them another penalty, which Isak scored with ease. The home side’s momentum had clearly picked up and with just seven minutes to go Barnes secured another goal for Newcastle, bringing the scoreline to 3-3.
He became possibly the best substitution of the game when Barnes smashed in another in the 90th minute, gifting Newcastle three much-needed points at the end of a entertainment-filled spectacle.
GK: Martin Dubravka – 5/10 – Struggled to save the Hammers‘ shots.
RB: Tino Livramento – 4/10 – Subbed off through injury and seemed stranded during the Bowen goal.
CB: Jamaal Lascelles – N/A – Subbed off 17 minutes in.
CB: Fabian Schar – 7/10 – Solid at the back, composed amongst chaos.
LB: Dan Burn – 8/10 – Super versatile, experienced.
CM: Sean Longstaff – 6/10 – Big missed chance but good energy.
CM: Bruno Guimaraes – 7/10 – Touches of quality towards the end.
CM: Joe Willock – 6/10 – Came off after the first hour, did well to get around the pitch.
RW: Jacob Murphy – 7/10 – Quality crosses, high energy down the right hand side.
CF: Alexander Isak – 9/10 – Two goals and a great assist, sorted.
LW: Anthony Gordon – 9/10 – Unreal, player of the match, but was also sent off.
Substitutes
SUB: Emil Krafth (17′ for Lascelles) – 7/10
SUB: Miguel Almiron (56′ for Livramento) – 6/10
SUB: Elliot Anderson (57′ Willock) – 6/10
SUB: Lewis Hall (57′ for Krafth) – 6/10
SUB: Harvey Barnes (67′ for Almiron) – 9/10
Subs not used: Loris Karius, Paul Dummett, Joe White, Matt Ritchie.
Manager
Eddie Howe – 8/10 – Substituted well considering injuries, with Barnes eventually winning his side the match.
GK: Alphonse Areola – 6/10 – Played well until he was hauled off.
RB: Vladimir Coufal – 2/10 – A clumsy foul on Gordon awarded Newcastle their first goal of the game.
CB: Konstantinos Mavropanos – 8/10 – Sensational, denied an Isak goal and proved to be a force in defence.
CB: Kurt Zouma – 7/10 – Fantastic, so enjoyable to watch.
LB: Emerson – 5/10 – Indifferent, didn’t add too much.
DM: James Ward-Prowse – 6/10 – Very quiet on the pitch.
DM: Tomas Soucek – 7/10 – Quality performance, strong in midfield.
RW: Jarrod Bowen – 8/10 – Earned his 15th Premier League goal of the season in this game, fantastic player.
AM: Lucas Paqueta – 8/10 – Incredible baller, assisted the first stunning goal for Antonio.
LW: Mohammed Kudus – 8/10 – Clinical performance. Put the Hammers ahead right before the break.
ST: Michail Antonio – 9/10 – Put West Ham back in the game quickly with a stunning equaliser.
Substitutes
SUB: Lukasz Fabianksi (45′ for Areola) – 6/10
SUB: Kalvin Phillips (69′ for Antonio) – 3/10
SUB: Ben Johnson (84′ for Ward-Prowse) – 7/10
SUB: Danny Ings (90′ for Coufal) – N/A
Subs not used: Aaron Cresswell, Angelo Ogbonna, George Earthy, Maxwel Cornet, Divin Mubama.
Manager
David Moyes – 7/10 – Ultimately did well, but may regret bringing on Kalvin Phillips.
Player of the match – Anthony Gordon (Newcastle)
