Toon duo included in Garth Crooks' team of the week after thrilling 4-3 encounter at St James' Park

 · April 1 2024, 13:29
Toon duo included in Garth Crooks' team of the week after thrilling 4-3 encounter at St James' Park
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Newcastle United put on a show for the ages on Saturday as they overcame a two-goal deficit to take three points off West Ham United at St James' Park.

Our player ratings should be a good indication of just how up and down the game was on Saturday with Newcastle having players with insanely low scores and players with extremely high scores.

It was a testament to just how out of sync the defence and the attack were with the back line being, frankly, awful - although it's hard to point the finger of blame too much as they'd been heavily disrupted early on - but as for going forward, there were some fantastic performances.

Eddie Howe's second-half substitutions made the difference, especially the forced introduction of Harvey Barnes after Miguel Almiron went down injured just 11 minutes after coming on a substitute himself.

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133054859 teamoftheweek
BBC
Two for the Toon

Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon made Crooks' Team of the Week

It's therefore little surprise that the two Newcastle players who made it into Garth Crooks' Team of the Week for the BBC were from our forward line.

Anthony Gordon who won two penalties and provided an assist made the team along with super-sub Harvey Barnes who grabbed two goals - the equaliser and the winner.

"Anthony Gordon (Newcastle): It's been one hell of a week for Gordon. He played for England against Brazil in midweek only to return to the North East to preside over the thrilling 4-3 comeback win over West Ham at St James' Park and get sent off in the process. His second yellow card was his only mistake throughout the entire match against the Hammers.

"But why Vladimir Coufal felt the need to try to win a ball in his own box he didn't need to and give away a penalty during the first three minutes of the game takes some explaining.

"Gordon was smart enough to know that if he got to the ball first the defender would clatter into him and so he did. Newcastle lived dangerously but West Ham were reckless to lose a two-goal lead when looking so comfortable."
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Harvey Barnes looks 'rejuvenated' according to Garth Crooks

"Harvey Barnes (Newcastle): West Ham haven't kept a clean sheet in nine matches and it is hardly surprising the way they defended against Newcastle. Kalvin Phillips remains off the pace and needs a good pre-season and a series of top-class uninterrupted fixtures to get him back to where he once was.

"Meanwhile, Harvey Barnes looks every bit rejuvenated and back in business having come on for the Magpies and scored two brilliantly taken goals - and he could have had a hat-trick within 30 minutes.

"Both these players have suffered recently for various reasons but have the ability to get back playing international football. Phillips would do well to get signed and settled permanently at West Ham as soon as possible, while Barnes needs to remain fit for the rest of the season."

Newcastle now go up against Everton on Tuesday night but will have to do so without Anthony Gordon who will serve a one-match ban after picking up two yellow cards on Saturday.

It's fine, though, we've got super Harvey Barnes!

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