26-year-old Newcastle forward 'frustrated' after Eddie Howe snub last weekend

Newcastle United bagged three points in their first game of the new Premier League season on Saturday but not everybody was celebrating.

The Magpies made hard work of things, not helped by Fabian Schar being shown a very soft straight red card by referee Craig Pawson just before the half hour mark.

Newcastle managed to snatch the lead on the stroke of half time after Player of the Match Joelinton scored with a beautifully controlled finish after Alex McCarthy practically gave the ball to Alexander Isak.

Eddie Howe's men were far from their best throughout the game and were, in truth, very lucky to come away with the win with Joelinton's goal being the only shot they registered on target all game.

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Harvey Barnes was 'frustrated' at being benched on Saturday

One Newcastle man who felt he could have made a difference was last summer's £39 million signing from Leicester City, Harvey Barnes.

The 26-year-old winger had been heavily featured in pre-season for Eddie Howe as Anthony Gordon rested up after the Euros, and Barnes thought he'd done enough to get the nod over the Gordon who'd only trained once before the Southampton game.

The Daily Mail has reported that Barnes is 'frustrated' at not starting the game ahead of Gordon, but goes on to say they see it as a good thing.

Harvey Barnes is looking to push Anthony Gordon for the starting place

Eddie Howe has always said he'd want two top players fighting over each position on the pitch and it now looks like Harvey Barnes is ready to push Gordon for that starting spot.

He's got quite the task ahead of him after Gordon's performances last season, but it won't have escaped Barnes' attention that Gordon was way off his best on Saturday.

Barnes scored some crucial goals for Newcastle off the bench last season, but he's not looked anywhere near usurping Gordon yet. That's not to say he hasn't got the potential to do so, though.