Newcastle United 4-4 Luton Town: Harvey Barnes rescues point for Magpies on return from injury in thriller

Substitute Harvey Barnes marked his return from a long injury to be ready to rescue a point for Newcastle in an extraordinary eight-function thriller against Luton.

In a breathless come upon, Sean Longstaff swept the hosts into the lead only for defender Gabriel Osho to head an equaliser off the underside of the bar.

The Hatters, nonetheless, contain been on stage terms for steady two minutes as Longstaff restored Newcastle’s advantage after Thomas Kaminski parried Anthony Gordon’s try into his path.

But Luton contain been a ways from done and equalised a second time before half-time, Ross Barkley firing residence from five yards after the ball dropped invitingly at his feet following Martin Dubravka’s establish to maintain out Alfie Gallant.

The guests went forward for the foremost time when skipper Carlton Morris scored from a retaken penalty after a evaluation by the video assistant referee (VAR) dominated Dan Burn had fouled the impressive Chiedozie Ogbene.

It appeared during when Elijah Adebayo made it 4-2 lower than two minutes later, but Kieran Trippier’s first function since August 2022 gave the Magpies hope before Barnes, in his first appearance since 24 September, drilled residence to perform it 4-4.

In one of the all-time great video games of the Premier League era, Jacob Murphy overlooked chance to win it for Newcastle when he blazed over in the Eighty fifth minute before Ogbene used to be denied by Dubravka on the other finish in the 98th minute.

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Positives on a chaotic afternoon for Newcastle

There used to be applause around the ground on the beefy-time whistle after an incredible sport of distinguished entertainment which saw Newcastle twice concede the lead after which come relief from 4-2 all the trend down to true a point.

Boss Eddie Howe will want to heart of attention on the positives instead of his facet’s suspect defending, with the Magpies shipping one other four targets after conceding three against each Manchester Metropolis and Nottingham Forest in their earlier two residence video games.

And, amid the chaos, there contain been some pluses – no longer least the influence of Barnes and fellow change Callum Wilson on their returns.

Former Leicester participant Barnes confirmed his be taught for function has no longer diminished during five months on the sidelines.

The loss of Alexander Isak for “loads of weeks” is one other setback in a season of injury woes for Howe, however the return of Barnes and Wilson provide the Newcastle manager with optimism his facet can finish the season strongly.

In addition, Trippier has extra assists – nine – than any other participant in the Premier League this season after setting up Longstaff for the foremost function.

The Magpies contain been looking to produce momentum after inflicting a first Premier League residence defeat on Aston Villa in midweek.

Yet on the finish of an incredible sport, Newcastle contain been relieved to contain secured a point.

This can no longer contain escaped Howe’s attention, nonetheless, his facet contain managed steady two victories in their previous nine high-flight video games.

Luton play their phase in astonishing sport

Luton contain been successfully-backed at St James’ Park – the early begin to commute across the nation in time for kick-off successfully definitely value the effort in the finish for their followers.

Hatters boss Rob Edwards and his avid gamers stayed on the pitch for loads of minutes after beefy-time to present their appreciation to the supporters who made the long scoot north.

There is so great to like about Luton this season and their fighting spirit once again surfaced as they came from behind on two occasions before taking a agency grip on proceedings.

There would possibly well be disappointment for Edwards and his avid gamers that they’d perhaps presumably additionally fair no longer relief out after stunning St James’ Park by sweeping into a 4-2 lead steady after the hour mark.

But Luton are showing spirit in abundance.

Everton’s battling plan against Tottenham in the early kick-off supposed the Hatters started this sport relief in the underside three.

Yet they ended the day up in 16th – with a one-point security cushion – after playing their phase in an astonishing sport.