Harvey Barnes delivered a decisive double for Newcastle United, helping the Magpies escape a nervous finish and secure a 3-2 victory over West Bromwich Albion, which also booked their place in the third round of the Carabao Cup. The match, played at St James' Park, unfolded as a dramatic seesaw battle, with both sides showing moments of quality and resilience.
The opening act came when West Brom took an unexpected lead early in the first half. Isaac Price, making his debut for the Baggies, stepped up to take a free‑kick from around 25 yards out. Rather than delivering a conventional cross, he curled the ball around the wall and tucked it into the bottom corner, leaving Newcastle goalkeeper Ewan Jaouen helpless. The goal was a stunning introduction for Price, who had arrived at the club on loan and immediately made an impact.
Newcastle responded swiftly. Another newcomer, Bazoumana Toure, found the net shortly after, seemingly leveling the score. The ball was played into the box and Toure managed to poke it home from close range.
However, there was a brief moment of confusion as officials deliberated whether the final touch had come from Toure or West Brom defender Chris Mepham. After a short review, the goal was awarded to Toure, restoring parity at 1‑1. The match continued with both teams creating chances, but the deadlock persisted until the halftime interval. At that point, manager Matthias Jaissle made a tactical substitution, bringing on Barnes in place of the tiring Toure.
Barnes wasted no time in making his presence felt. Within minutes of coming on, he unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area. West Brom’s defense managed to block the initial strike, but the rebound fell to Barnes, who calmly slotted the ball home from close range to give Newcastle a 2‑1 lead.
The lead, however, was short‑lived. In the second half, Lewis Hall committed a second handball offence, this time inside his own box, handing West Brom a penalty. The incident mirrored a similar mistake Hall had made against Liverpool in the Premier League just days earlier. Isaac Price stepped up once again, this time from the spot, and calmly dispatched the penalty to level the scores at 2‑2.
With the match hanging in the balance, Barnes once more rose to the occasion. In the 81st minute, Anthony Elanga surged down the right flank, delivering a low cross into the penalty area.
Barnes met the ball with a first‑time finish, sweeping it into the net from close range. His second goal of the evening sealed a 3‑2 win for Newcastle and ensured their progression in the cup competition they had previously won in 2025. Post‑match, Jaissle praised Barnes not only for his goal‑scoring but also for his overall contribution to the team’s play.
He highlighted Barnes’s discipline, his work rate both in possession and out of it, and his effective partnership with Lewis Hall. Jaissle also commended West Brom’s performance, noting that the Championship side had shown strong character and would likely be a formidable opponent in their own league campaign. The victory sets up a third‑round tie for Newcastle against Millwall at The Den, scheduled for either the week of September 7 or September 14.
The win also adds to the narrative of Newcastle’s evolving squad under Jaissle, as they blend experienced internationals with promising newcomers like Price and Barnes. Media commentary added further perspective.
Sky Sports analyst Jamie Redknapp lauded Barnes’s impact, describing his performance as a sign of the promising direction the club is heading. Redknapp also discussed the challenges of integrating new signings such as Nico Gonzalez, who is expected to bolster the midfield, and reflected on the changes in Newcastle’s midfield composition since their successful run in the 2022‑23 season.
Overall, the match was a vivid illustration of cup football’s unpredictability: early setbacks, swift comebacks, and a final flourish from a young winger ensured Newcastle’s continued journey in the Carabao Cup, while also providing a platform for emerging talents to showcase their abilities on a prominent stage.