Barnes chasing Arsenal and Aston Villa stars for goal record as Howe left with 'superstar' decision


Take a bow Harvey Barnes and perhaps even an apology from our Eddie!

I mean, he was dropped after scoring the opener in a victory against Spurs last time out but came off the bench at half-time with Wolves a goal up and struck a sensational winner 10 minutes from time.

It was his seventh Premier League bullseye for United and his fifth as a sub _ only Jhon Duran and Leondro Trossard have equaled such a sumptuous return from the bench.

READ MORE:No-nonsense Eddie Howe sends brutal warning to Newcastle stars after behind the scenes call

READ MORE:Harvey Barnes finds X factor as ruthless Eddie Howe gives Newcastle United stars half-time blast

Boy, he should trademark this particular finish.... come in off the left side, beat a couple of defenders, and whip a curling shot into the top far corner. Defenders know what he's going to do but cannot stop him!

United's trouble, I guess, is that they have two superstar outside-lefts, Barnes and England's Anthony Gordon, but no equivalent on t'other flank. Gordon was terrific first-half and Barnes magnificent second on the same wing.

Who would have thought at the interval that United would end up magnificently unbeaten and up to third in the table?

Bear in mind their only potent centre-forward Alexander Isak was off with a bloodied nose and the Mags had to play with a false No.9 in Gordon. Toothless? Naw, amazing, no.

Howe became a Las Vegas gambler taking off another big beast Joelinton, at last turning to Italy's international hero Sandro Tonali in place of Sean Longstaff whose rick sparked off Wolves goal, and called on Barnes.

Both United's strikes were from distance _ Fabian Schar's equaliser was a 25 yarder, Barnes only from slightly closer.

While we are so grateful for two super finishes let us not forget about what Nick Pope did in the 92nd minute. A superlative one handed flying save from Matheus Cunha protected what we had.

If United haven't been at their best performance wise this campaign then I'll accept what we have. Big hearts, never say die spirit, keeping going to the end.

Newcastle began brightly, lost their way, and surrendered a goal in an alarming manner. Longstaff gave way the ball cheaply in an attacking situation, Dan Burn was blistered for pace, and a lightning counter attack done them.

With Isak off a comeback looked a forlorn hope with no bite through the middle but then Schar and Barnes combined on a rescue mission.

United are still vulnerable at No. 9 with Callum Wilson permanently confined to barracks and Will Osuna seen as a rookie in need of development. They might have paid the ultimate price.

Howe now has a week to digest what happened at Molineux and pick his next starting line up at Fulham. May I suggest he has one major decision to make _ how he plays Gordon and Barnes in the same team because he must.

With plenty to talk about on the resumption of the Premier League and United storming the accepted order of merit Steve Watson and myself will be at the Fleet Street pub just off the Bigg Market for an hour from 6.30pm tonight. Entry is free so come along and join us.