Harvey Barnes called Newcastle’s 4-3 win at home to West Ham “one of the maddest games I have played in” after scoring two late goals in eight minutes to complete the Magpies’ recovery from 3-1 behind with 14 minutes remaining in a Premier League classic.
Former Leicester livewire Barnes, who has been among a long list of Newcastle absentees through injury during the campaign, produced a composed finish to draw his side level with seven minutes remaining and curled in a beauty seconds into added time to secure victory.
“This team is all about team spirit and never giving up – and that showed in abundance today,” Barnes told BBC Match of the Day.
“These are the games and moments you want to be involved in. It was one of the maddest games I have played in, for sure.”
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Newcastle took a sixth-minute lead through top scorer Alexander Isak’s penalty but their hopes of earning European football next season appeared to be fading badly by the time the Hammers established a two-goal cushion through Jarrod Bowen three minutes after the break.
In an encapsulation of Newcastle’s current injury misfortunes, Barnes replaced Miguel Almiron because of an injury the Paraguay attacker suffered 11 minutes after coming on for the injured Tino Livramento during the second half.
Isak fired in a second penalty before Barnes settled a remarkable contest to move Newcastle a point behind their seventh-placed opponents with a game in hand.
UNBELIEVABLEEE!!! 🤩
Harvey Barnes makes it 4-3 Newcastle! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/taq6oOePdk
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 30, 2024
“We were obviously disappointed to be where we were in the game – we had a mountain to climb,” said Barnes.
“Sitting on the sidelines, in the stands, it’s the worst feeling, so it makes you want to work even harder to get to stages like today and enjoy moments like today.
“Today I was fully fit but there have been large parts of the season when myself and others have missed out because of injuries.
Eddie Howe’s reaction after Newcastle came from 3-1 down to go 4-3 up! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/lle5gWCqr3
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 30, 2024
“It has been frustrating. I miss that feeling of being out there and when I am, I want to make up for lost time. Today was a great step forward with that.
“You are just eager to get out there and help the team get back in the game. You want to try to make an impact, whether that is goals or setting others up.
“That’s what the gaffer [Eddie Howe] expects from us coming on the pitch. Luckily, today I did those things.”
