Newcastle United missed the chance to make it three straight Premier League wins as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Tottenham Hotspur, a result that felt more frustrating than encouraging for Eddie Howe and his players.
The night started slowly, with a first half that offered little excitement for either set of supporters. Both teams moved the ball without purpose, and the crowd inside St James’ Park felt the lack of intensity.
It took until the second half for the match to open up, and when Bruno Guimarães fired Newcastle ahead with less than 20 minutes left, the home fans finally had a moment to celebrate.
The momentum seemed to swing once again when Anthony Gordon scored from the penalty spot in the final stages of the match, giving Newcastle what looked like a late winning goal.
But just as celebrations were beginning across the stadium, Cristian Romero managed to bring Spurs level for a second time, leaving Howe’s men with only a single point instead of a much-needed victory.
Although the point lifted Newcastle into 13th place, it came with a feeling of disappointment, as the team had done enough to win but failed to manage the crucial moments.
In a match where several players produced strong performances, a few others struggled badly, and those weaker displays may force the manager to rethink his starting lineup for the weekend.
Joelinton, who was trusted again in midfield alongside Lewis Miley and Sandi Tonali, found the game difficult from the start. Despite playing the full 90 minutes, he won only 27% of his duels and was dribbled past repeatedly.
The Brazilian has been given chances to rediscover his old form, but this outing will not strengthen his case to remain in the team.
Jacob Murphy also endured a frustrating night. Normally a reliable outlet down the right, he couldn’t make any real impact in the attacking third. His delivery was inconsistent, producing only three successful crosses at a low accuracy rate.
He managed just 16 completed passes and completed half of his dribble attempts before being replaced by Anthony Elanga. The change instantly improved the attack, and that contrast may influence Howe’s selection in the coming days.
However, the player who most clearly struggled to match the pace and intensity of the game was Harvey Barnes. He has been a regular starter recently, helped by his impressive two-goal performance against Manchester City, but that spark has faded in the last two matches.
Against Spurs, Barnes looked disconnected from the play and rarely threatened the opposition, despite starting in a team that created enough chances to win.
Barnes played 66 minutes and touched the ball only 30 times, a low figure for a winger expected to drive attacks. His passing numbers were disappointing, completing just ten passes, which was fewer than goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
He completed only one dribble and one cross, showing how little influence he had in the final third. For a player expected to bring directness and energy, the numbers simply highlighted how far off his best he was.
Below is a clearer look at Barnes’ stats from the match:
| Harvey Barnes vs Spurs | Tally |
|---|---|
| Minutes played | 66 |
| Touches | 30 |
| Shots taken | 2 |
| Dribbles completed | 1 |
| Crosses completed | 1 |
| Possession lost | 12 times |
| Duels lost | 75% |
| Passes into final third | 2 |
His struggles weren’t limited to offensive play. Out of possession, Barnes was second best in most physical battles, losing the majority of his duels and allowing Spurs to build down his side of the pitch far too easily.
His performance earned him a modest 6/10 rating from journalist Lee Ryder, a score that arguably could have been lower given his limited influence.
With Newcastle eager to return to winning ways and rebuild momentum, Howe will likely need to make tough decisions. Gordon’s impact from the bench, topped off with his composed penalty, makes him a strong candidate to return to the starting XI.
His sharpness, energy, and confidence could give Newcastle the attacking edge they lacked before he stepped onto the pitch. Barnes, by contrast, looks like a player struggling to rediscover rhythm, and dropping him may be the necessary move as the team prepares for Burnley.
Howe has always valued competition for places, and nights like this underline why. Newcastle had enough chances and moments to secure a victory, but individual performances at key points of the game held them back.
Saturday offers the chance to reset, but only if the right changes are made to spark a stronger and more complete performance.
