Newcastle United delivered one of their most determined performances of the season as they battled past Manchester City at St James’ Park, and the night brought a welcome return to action for Lewis Hall.
The young full-back started his first match since September, but was substituted late in the second half, raising fears among supporters that he had suffered another setback. After the final whistle, the club moved quickly to clarify the situation, and Eddie Howe offered reassurance regarding Hall’s condition.
Newcastle entered the match short of options at full-back, with Dan Burn suspended and Kieran Trippier unavailable because of a hamstring injury. That forced Howe to turn to Hall on the left and Tino Livramento on the right, handing both players their first starts in months.
Hall only recently recovered from a hamstring problem that had kept him out for four weeks, while Livramento was returning after spending two months on the sidelines with a knee issue. Despite the lack of recent minutes, both defenders stepped into the starting eleven with confidence and played key roles in a valuable win.
After back-to-back away defeats at West Ham and Brentford, Newcastle needed a strong response, and they delivered one of their most spirited displays of the campaign.
Harvey Barnes was the hero of the night, scoring twice in quick succession after the break. He opened the scoring just after the hour mark, and when Ruben Dias equalised moments later, Barnes responded immediately by restoring the lead with a composed finish. It was a performance that lifted the home crowd and helped steady the team after a period of frustration.
When reflecting on the victory, Howe praised the mentality and execution of his players. He described the performance as being close to Newcastle at their best, noting how many chances were created in the first half and how the team maintained bravery and ambition despite the quality of the opposition.
He admitted that the extended stoppage time at the end of the match added tension, but he believed his players earned the result with their willingness to push forward and attack.
Howe also stressed that beating a team like Manchester City should give Newcastle confidence going forward and that this match can serve as a turning point in their season.
A significant part of the post-match discussion centred around the impact of Hall and Livramento. Howe spoke highly of both full-backs, crediting their discipline, energy and individual qualities.
Hall’s technical ability stood out, particularly given that he had barely trained during the international break. Howe pointed out how well Hall linked up with Harvey Barnes on the flank and how confidently he took the ball under pressure.
He admitted that fatigue eventually began to show, but the young defender’s contribution was clear.
Livramento, on the other hand, impressed with his physical condition after seven weeks out. Howe said the defender looked as strong as ever and handled his defensive responsibilities against a dangerous opponent with maturity and composure. His energy down the right side helped Newcastle maintain balance and structure throughout the ninety minutes.
Hall was substituted in the 77th minute for Sven Botman, prompting some supporters to fear he had suffered a recurrence of his previous injury. However, Howe moved quickly to calm those concerns.
He explained that the decision to take Hall off was purely precautionary and that the defender was suffering from cramp rather than any new or serious issue. Howe said he had not yet held a full discussion with the medical staff but was confident that the problem was minor.
The win over Manchester City marked an important moment for Newcastle and a reminder of the depth and resilience within the squad. Hall and Livramento showed they are ready to contribute again, and the team demonstrated they can respond under pressure.
With confidence returning and players regaining fitness, Newcastle will hope this victory proves to be a catalyst for a stronger run of form in the weeks ahead.
