Newcastle rescue point in 8-goal thriller vs Luton but only mask Howe's problem

03 February 2024 , 17:35

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Eddie Howe's Newcastle side are leaking goals and dropping more points they should be claiming (Image: Newcastle United via Getty Image)

Chaos and thrills at St James Park - but frustration for Eddie Howe’s inconsistent, ragged team.

There will be optimistic talk of Newcastle’s character and fight after they conjured a comeback from the dead. But that only masks a big problem with no solution in sight.

Newcastle have now conceded TEN goals in their last three games on Tyneside. Where was the in-game management? Where was the control from last season's fourth placed side?

Luton followed Nottingham Forest and Man City in carving the Geordies open at will on home turf. Liverpool also hit them for four at Anfield last month.

Newcastle twice threw away a lead in the first half as Ross Barkley ran the game. Then brilliant Luton had the Geordies on the rack by taking a 4-2 lead, hitting the home side on the break.

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Goals from Kieran Trippier and Harvey Barnes rescued a point, but this was a must win for Howe’s men in a bid to revive their hopes of a top six finish.

It was great entertainment, Luton's style enriching the spectacle, as Dan Burn was targeted. It was almost 13 years to the day since the last 4-4 here. That was the game when United came from 4-0 down at half time to draw with Arsenal, and Tiote’s screamer.

Luton were magnificent, playing great football and looking like a top flight team. At this rate they will stay up, if they can tighten up. Newcastle swiftly built on their win at Villa in midweek by taking the lead through Sean Longstaff.

Harvey Barnes (C) bagged Newcastle's equaliser but his goal only masks their problems (Getty Images)

The Geordie midfielder opened the scoring against Fulham in the FA Cup win last week, and powered into the box to smash home another. Kieran Trippier, back to his best after Bayern Munich’s transfer window swoop was rejected, got the assist with an accurate low cross.

Town equalised after 20 minutes from a well worked set-piece. Ross Barkley curled a free kick to the back post for Carlton Morris to head back across goal. Defender Gabriel Osho rose unchallenged to nod in off the crossbar.

Inside two minutes Newcastle were back ahead. Luton were threatening down the right but Miggy Almiron retrieved the ball, and played it down the wing for Anthony Gordon. He turned inside goalscorer Osho and raced past him, forcing a save from Thomas Kaminski. The keeper beat the ball out but Longstaff was again on hand ghosting into the box.

The Whitley Bay midfielder showed sharp control and smashed another low drive into the corner. That was Longstaff’s six of the season, and if he can add more it will be priceless to Newcastle’s progress. He is timing his arrival into the box to perfection.

Kieran Trippier hauled Newcastle back to 4-3 before rallying the St James' Park crowd (PA)

By half time Luton were level. Rejuvenated Barkley burst past a mistimed Longstaff tackle in midfield, and slipped to Alfie Doughty on the left. Doughty fired in a cross which keeper Martin Dubravka parried into the six yard box, Barkley followed up, taking two touches to score.

Newcastle were missing Alexander Isak with a groin problem, so Gordon played up front for the first half, until tweaking a calf and limping off at halftime. Callum Wilson came off the bench after injury. It was Luton on the rise and giving it a go and they took the lead after 57 minutes when VAR awarded a penalty kick.

Chiedozie Ogbene was giving Dan Burn a tough game and burst into the box and went down with the United defender’s hand on his shoulder. Carlton Morris, a handful all game, rolled home the penalty after a retake.

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Luton thought they'd secured a crucial away victory after Elijah Adebayo's goal (Getty Images)

There was worse to come from a disintegrating Toon as they chased the game with fullbacks high up the pitch. Elijah Adebayo slammed home from the right after Newcastle were caught on the break and just two defenders back. Barkley teeded him up.

That deflated the Toon crowd, who chanted for Burn to be replaced by Tino Livramento, and Howe obliged. Skipper Trippier rekindled a glimmer of hope and got the St James’ Park crowd up for a comeback by caressing home Bruno Guimaraes’ cross.

By the 73rd minute it was 4-4. Sub Harvey Barnes returned from a long injury lay off to curl home and level it - celebrating with an arm wheeling 50 yard sprint to get the game started again. Chances came for 5-4. Guimaraes’ cross, Murphy at the back post at full stretch… but scooping over.

At the other end Ogbene could have won it in the 98th minute, but his volley was saved by Dubravka.

Simon Bird