Newcastle United were defeated at St. James’ Park as their Champions League campaign started on the wrong footing.
Then again, let’s not be too pessimistic. Eddie Howe’s side met Barcelona, after all, and the La Liga champions were pressed against the ropes at points in the first half, and more clinical finishing might have shaped a different narrative. A talking point, inevitably, will prick at the decision to have left club-record signing Nick Woltemade on the bench.
Anthony Gordon got himself on the scoresheet, but sadly, it was another English winger who stole the plaudits, with Marcus Rashford netting an emphatic second-half brace for the visitors.
And while the Magpies fought the good fight, Kieran Trippier struggled to contain his countryman.
Kieran Trippier loses out to Rashford
Trippier played against Barcelona on the eve of his 35th birthday, but he held his own against a forward who, on his day, can be a stern test for any defender worth their salt.
And Rashford was on his A-game, all right. The 27-year-old scored a precise header after 58 minutes before unleashing a wonderful strike from range. Past Nick Pope the ball went and into the inside netting.
The veteran was withdrawn with an injury toward the closing stages of the game, and Howe will need his tenacity and experience going forward, two facets showcased at St. James’ Park last night.
Trippier might have won all five of his ground duels on the night, but he was spun by Rashford in the second half, the Manchester United player, on loan with the Spaniards, showcasing the gulf in pace to break away down United’s right channel.
While Trippier battled well, he left plenty to be desired, and there will be many who might advocate a return to the starting line-up for the fit-again Lewis Hall, thus shifting Tino Livramento back into his right-back berth.
Minutes played
62′
Goals
0
Assists
0
Touches
49
Accurate passes
21/30 (70%)
Key passes
0
Dribbles
0/0
Tackles
4
Clearances
2
Ground duels
5/5
Aerial duels
0/5
Perhaps Hall’s inclusion would open up a greater sense of attacking fluency down the left. Joelinton flattered to deceive in the centre, but Harvey Barnes in particular had a game to forget, and Howe will no doubt be thinking about dropping the £80k-per-week star.
Why Howe must drop Harvey Barnes
Howe made a contentious call to bench Woltemade and start Gordon in his stead at number nine. Gordon is a winger, not a striker, but he plays the role dutifully when asked to provide, and he toiled away, albeit sliding home a consolation goal in stoppage time.
With an important tie against Bournemouth forthcoming in the Premier League on Sunday, Howe will need to shuffle the pack, but it’s not Gordon who should be dropped, but Barnes.
The 27-year-old is a direct and clinical left winger, but he was nullified by Hansi Flick’s men and failed to provide convincing creative support, completing only five passes and failing with all three of his attempted crosses into the box.
More than that, Barnes failed to win even a single duel. He did not even attempt to complete a dribble before being hooked shortly after the hour mark.
Chronicle Live were scathing in their assessment of Barnes’ performance, writing that he produced a ‘half-attempted’ effort to prevent Jules Kounde’s cross for Rashford’s opener while missing a big chance and indeed proving wasteful with his crossing. A 5/10 match rating was what he got.
There’s no doubt about it: Rashford outclassed his compatriot on his trip back to England, and Gordon must replace him as Newcastle’s left winger at the weekend, with Woltemade returning to the starting line-up.
A frustrating evening for Newcastle and Howe. There are improvements that need to be made, but if this defeat against Barcelona has taught us one thing, it’s that the Toon have the tools to compete in the Champions League this season.
