Newcastle United are now only one point behind sixth-placed Manchester United in the Premier League, and having game-changers like Callum Wilson and Harvey Barnes fit and blazing again might be important in the race for Europe.
The fourth goal had just been scored, but merciless Newcastle United were not ready to give Sheffield United any hope. According to Eddie Howe, Newcastle ‘had a job to do’ at St James’ Park. The Magpies manager brought Callum Wilson and Harvey Barnes together for the first time since August.
“It’s a strange feeling for me because we haven’t had that strength in depth in the attacking side this season,” Howe told reporters. “It has had a big impact on us so it’s really nice to take a couple of players off and give them a rest and bring on such top-level players. They gave everyone a confidence boost.”
The £58 million pair had a quick impact. Barnes, in reality, surged at the heart of Sheffield United’s defence and dinked the ball into Wilson’s path in the 72nd minute, giving Newcastle their fifth goal.
It reminded you of another 5-1 defeat on the first day. Howe also used these forwards when Newcastle was in command against Aston Villa, and that day felt like a preview of what this team may become.
On a day when Sandro Tonali excelled on his Premier League debut, Sean Longstaff could only make the bench; Tino Livramento could not get on the pitch; and Lewis Miley and Matt Ritchie didn’t even make the match day squad.
However, injuries quickly decimated the team, and Newcastle’s bench has been critically depleted for some time. A core group of starting has been going repeatedly without a competition breathing down their neck, and Howe has seldom used his entire set of five substitutions.
Despite the bench frequently being crowded by goalkeepers, defenders, and teenagers, Newcastle substitutes have scored 14 Premier League goals, more than any other team this season, and Barnes and Wilson have undoubtedly contributed. Five of Barnes’ six Newcastle goals have come as a substitute, while Wilson has scored one-third of his goals this season as a substitute.
These are heavyweight options to have in reserve as opposition defences tire and Wilson and Barnes have scored 126 Premier League goals between them to date. Chris Wilder perhaps put it best. “They have the ability to switch,” the Sheffield United boss said. “We don’t have the ability to hang on.”
That might be significant as Newcastle pursues Manchester United, with crucial games against Burnley, Brighton, the Red Devils, and Brentford coming up in the run-in. These are likely to be closer games – it’s difficult to imagine Newcastle being so much up midway through the second half as they were on Saturday – and having game-changers on the bench might help secure a significant victory.
“The goal was one of many today,” Wilson told NUFC TV. “Next game, it could be the winning goal or the equalising goal. All you can do is make sure that when you get an opportunity, you’re as clinical as possible.”
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