8/10 Newcastle star who won 100% duels was even better than Barnes

A rampant Newcastle United made it five wins on the bounce in all competitions, smashing Manchester United 4-1 at St James’ Park to re-establish themselves in the top four of the Premier League as they look to end the season in the Champions League qualification places.

Despite Eddie Howe’s absence, hospitalised by a recent illness, his side showed plenty of fight, having 48% possession, generating 2.09 xG, creating five big chances and taking 12 shots in the game.

Newcastle limited Man United to just nine shots, only creating one big chance and generating 0.61 xG despite having more of the ball.

It was the quality of Harvey Barnes that got Newcastle back ahead after going in at half-time drawing 1-1, with the 27-year-old putting in a brilliant display that could keep Anthony Gordon out of the team for at least another week.

Harvey Barnes’ performance vs Man Utd

Barnes has very rarely started many games this term but he saved arguably his finest display in a Toon shirt for the visit of Manchester United, scoring two fabulous goals.

He put in a very efficient performance for the Magpies, only having 38 touches in the game, taking two shots, both of which were on target and both of which resulted in goals for the Newcastle star.

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The English winger has made 33 appearances for Newcastle this season, scoring eight goals, providing three assists and totaling 1,534 minutes played.

After scoring against his former side last week and providing assists against Brentford and West Ham, Barnes has been a huge part of Newcastle’s success in recent weeks.

But he isn’t the only Newcastle star who put in a huge shift against United, as there was another player at the opposite end of the pitc, helping the Magpies keep out any threat coming the other way.

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8/10 Newcastle star was as good as Barnes

While Barnes was a rampant threat at the top end of the pitch, the players at the back also deserve praise, most notably Carabao Cup final hero Dan Burn.

The boy from Blyth has been instrumental for Howe’s side this season, making 38 appearances, scoring once and contributing to 14 clean sheets in his 3,254 minutes played.

The 32-year-old defender was brilliant again on Sunday, putting in an 8/10 performance against Manchester United, as noted by The Shields Gazette, who wrote of his display that it he was ‘typically dominant in the air and remained on the front foot’.

Burn was first to everything that came into the box from a United perspective, winning all eight of his aerial duels contested, making six clearances, stepping in to intercept three times and winning his only ground duel of the match.

This solidity at the back gave Newcastle confidence, coming out in the second half and dispatching of Man United with ease, finding three more goals and only allowing the Red Devils to take five shots, generating a total of 0.31 xG in that half.

Whilst Barnes was key for Newcastle going forwards, Burn gave the Magpies a strong foundation to work from, something he has done brilliantly all season.

It is likely the England central defender will be key in their final six games as Howe’s men look to secure Champions League football.

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