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

Sean Longstaff has scored in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup this seasonSubstitute Harvey Barnes marked his return from a long injury with a goal to rescue a point for Newcastle in an extraordinary eight-goal thriller against Luton.

In a breathless encounter, 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, however, were on level terms for just two minutes as Longstaff restored Newcastle’s advantage after Thomas Kaminski parried Anthony Gordon’s attempt into his path.

But Luton were far from done and equalised a second time before half-time, Ross Barkley firing home from five yards after the ball dropped invitingly at his feet following Martin Dubravka’s save to keep out Alfie Doughty.

The visitors went ahead for the first time when skipper Carlton Morris scored from a retaken penalty after a review by the video assistant referee (VAR) ruled Dan Burn had fouled the impressive Chiedozie Ogbene.

It looked all over when Elijah Adebayo made it 4-2 less than two minutes later, but Kieran Tripper’s first goal since August 2022 gave the Magpies hope before Barnes, in his first appearance since 24 September, drilled home to make it 4-4.

In one of the all-time great games of the Premier League era, Jacob Murphy missed a great chance to win it for Newcastle when he blazed over in the 85th minute before Ogbene was denied by Dubravka at the other end in the 98th minute.

Reaction from Newcastle-Luton, plus relive Saturday’s Premier League actionNewcastle fans have your say here on performance against LutonHave your say here Luton fans on your team’s display against NewcastlePositives on a chaotic afternoon for NewcastleThere was applause around the ground at the full-time whistle after an incredible game of remarkable entertainment which saw Newcastle twice concede the lead and then come back from 4-2 down to secure a point.

Boss Eddie Howe will prefer to concentrate on the positives rather than his side’s suspect defending and there were some pluses – not least the impact of Barnes and fellow substitute Callum Wilson on their returns.

Former Leicester player Barnes showed his eye for goal has not diminished during five months on the sidelines.

The loss of Alexander Isak for “several weeks” is another setback in a season of injury woes for Howe, but the return of Barnes and Wilson provide the Newcastle manager with optimism his side can finish the season strongly.

The Magpies were looking to build momentum after inflicting a first Premier League home defeat on Aston Villa in midweek.

Yet at the end of a chaotic afternoon, Newcastle were relieved to have secured a point.

Howe’s side need to put together a consistent run of winning form after just two victories in their past nine top-flight games.

Spirit in abundanceLuton were well-backed at St James’ Park – the early start to make it in time for kick-off well worth the effort in the end for their fans.

Hatters boss Rob Edwards and his players stayed on the pitch for several minutes after full-time to show their appreciation to the supporters who made the long journey north.

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

There will be disappointment for Edwards and his players that they could not hold out after stunning St James’ Park by sweeping into a 4-2 lead just after the hour mark.

But Luton are showing spirit in abundance.

Everton’s battling draw against Tottenham in the early kick-off meant the Hatters started this game back in the bottom three.

Yet they ended the day up in 16th – with a one-point safety cushion – after an astonishing game.

Player of the match

BarkleyRoss Barkley

with an average of 7.89

Newcastle UnitedSquad number67Player nameMiley

Squad number39Player nameBruno Guimarães

Squad number2Player nameTrippier

Squad number15Player nameBarnes

Squad number10Player nameGordon

Squad number4Player nameBotman

Squad number5Player nameSchär

Squad number24Player nameAlmirón

Squad number23Player nameMurphy

Squad number21Player nameLivramento

Squad number9Player nameWilson

Squad number33Player nameBurn

Squad number1Player nameDúbravka

Squad number36Player nameS Longstaff

Luton TownSquad number6Player nameBarkley

Squad number7Player nameOgbene

Squad number10Player nameWoodrow

Squad number11Player nameAdebayo

Squad number19Player nameBrown

Squad number16Player nameBurke

Squad number9Player nameMorris

Squad number17Player nameMpanzu

Squad number28Player nameSambi Lokonga

Squad number45Player nameDoughty

Squad number18Player nameClark

Squad number2Player nameOsho

Squad number29Player nameBell

Squad number15Player nameMengi

Squad number24Player nameKaminski

Line-upsNewcastleFormation 4-3-3

1Dúbravka2Trippier5Schär4Botman33BurnBooked at 56minsSubstituted forLivramentoat 64’minutes36S Longstaff39Bruno Guimarães67Miley23MurphyBooked at 76mins10GordonSubstituted forWilsonat 45’minutes24AlmirónSubstituted forBarnesat 63’minutesSubstitutes3Dummett9Wilson11Ritchie15Barnes17Krafth18Karius20Hall21Livramento40WhiteLutonFormation 3-4-2-1

24Kaminski15Mengi2OshoBooked at 90mins29Bell7Ogbene28Sambi LokongaBooked at 60mins6Barkley45DoughtySubstituted forBurkeat 79’minutes18ClarkSubstituted forMpanzuat 68’minutes9MorrisSubstituted forBrownat 79’minutes11AdebayoSubstituted forWoodrowat 88’minutesSubstitutes8Berry10Woodrow12Kaboré14Chong16Burke17Mpanzu19Brown23Krul30TownsendMatch StatsLive TextMatch ends, Newcastle United 4, Luton Town 4.

Second Half ends, Newcastle United 4, Luton Town 4.

Sean Longstaff (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Cauley Woodrow (Luton Town).

Attempt saved. Chiedozie Ogbene (Luton Town) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ross Barkley.

Attempt blocked. Jacob Brown (Luton Town) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ross Barkley with a cross.

Foul by Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United).

Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu (Luton Town) wins a free kick on the left wing.

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Delay in match because of an injury Jacob Brown (Luton Town).

Lewis Miley (Newcastle United) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Foul by Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu (Luton Town).

Corner, Newcastle United. Conceded by Amari’i Bell.

Attempt blocked. Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.

Gabriel Osho (Luton Town) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

Callum Wilson (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.

Foul by Gabriel Osho (Luton Town).

Foul by Callum Wilson (Newcastle United).

Gabriel Osho (Luton Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.