Newcastle survive West Brom scare as Harvey Barnes scores twice in cup thriller

Substitute Harvey Barnes came off the bench to score twice and drag Newcastle United into the Carabao Cup third round, edging past Championship side West Bromwich Albion 3-2 in a nerve-shredding encounter at St James' Park.

The former Leicester winger struck twice in the second half to spare the 2025 cup winners from a potential penalty shootout against lower-league opposition, though not before the home crowd endured a rollercoaster evening.

Price Stuns St James' Park

A sold-out St James' Park, still buzzing after new £52m signing Nico Gonzalez was paraded before kick-off following his move from Manchester City, fell silent when Isaac Price opened the scoring with a piece of quick thinking. The West Brom forward caught Newcastle napping with a clever free-kick from 25 yards, curling the ball around the wall and into the bottom corner after the hosts expected a cross into the box. Goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen was caught out at his near post by the in-form forward's audacious effort.

Toure Levels on Competitive Debut

Newcastle responded just before the interval when summer signing Bazoumana Toure, who joined from Hoffenheim for £43m, ghosted between defenders Chris Mepham and Alex Williams to knock in Amar Dedic's teasing cross for his first competitive goal.

Barnes Changes the Game

Though Toure was withdrawn at half-time, his replacement Barnes quickly justified the substitution. The winger raced into the box and lashed home after West Brom failed to clear his initial effort from outside the area, giving Newcastle the lead early in the second half.

Drama as Hall Concedes Another Penalty

West Brom refused to fold, however, and were handed a lifeline when Harry Whitwell's cross struck Lewis Hall's hand inside the box. Price stepped up to coolly send Jaouen the wrong way from the spot, levelling the tie and setting up a tense finale. The penalty represented Hall's second spot-kick concession in consecutive matches, having given one away against Liverpool three days earlier.

Barnes Seals Victory

There was still time for Barnes to emerge as Newcastle's hero, finishing from Dedic's cross to restore the lead and secure safe passage into the last 32. The goal spared Newcastle from extra time and potential penalties against opponents who had not reached the third round of this competition since 2020.

Newcastle will now travel to Millwall in the third round.