Despite many absentees, a two-goal delay and an expulsion, the Magpies overthrew the Hammers (4-3).
Newcastle erased a two-goal handicap and overcame a cascade of injuries to overthrow West Ham (4-3), thanks to a late double from incoming Harvey Barnes on Saturday to open the 30th day of the Premier League. The hero of the day symbolizes the resilience of the Magpies, weakened by the injury exits of captain Jamaal Lascelles (17th), full-back Tino Livramento (56th) and his replacement, winger Miguel Almiron (67th).
Running out of ammunition after this new blow, trainer Eddie Howe started Barnes, just out of the infirmary, in place of Almiron. The 26-year-old winger scored the equalizer (83rd, 3-3) and the winning goal (90th, 4-3). The English striker’s double punctuated a match full of twists and turns where Newcastle quickly led on a penalty from Alexander Isak (6th, 1-0), before being overthrown by Michail Antonio (21st, 1-1), Mohammed Kudus (45th+10, 1-2) and Jarrod Bowen (48th, 1-3).
Isak reignited the suspense with a second converted penalty (78th, 2-3), this time in front of Lukasz Fabianski, who entered at half-time in place of Alphonse Areola, who left due to injury. The victory of Newcastle, eighth, allows it to come back to within one point of West Ham (7th, 44 pts) before the other matches of the 30th day.
