Newcastle United and Luton Town refused to back down in a breathless 4-4 draw at St. James’ Park on Saturday, as both teams came back in a fight to the very end.
WATCH NEWCASTLE vs LUTON TOWN FULL MATCH REPLAY STREAM - LINK
The still-undermanned Magpies ended a brutal dry spell by completing a season sweep of Aston Villa with a 3-1 win at Villa Park on Tuesday, and led 1-0 and 2-1 on goals from local midfielder Sean Longstaff. But they’d be down 4-2 before Kieran Trippier and Harvey Barnes earned a point for the hosts.
Luton has shown signs of progress all year, constantly scrapping, and the Hatters were downright buzzing after a 4-0 demolition of Brighton that was both unexpected and a boost out of the Premier League’s bottom three. Everton sent them back into 18th before kickoff, but the Hatters were not deterred by the setback.
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Gabriel Osho and Ross Barkley scored before halftime, and Carlton Morris joined Elijah Adebayo as second-half goal scorers in the draw that boosted Rob Edwards’ men onto 20 points and 16th place.
Newcastle’s point is its 33rd of the season. That’s good for ninth place, three off of sixth place West Ham and 11 away from the top four.
That’s entertainment
Forget for a moment that Newcastle should be wildly disappointed in its defense and Luton would’ve snapped your hand off for a positive result before the game.
Because this was an advertisement for our sport.
Eight goals between one of world football’s nouveau riche and a side that had to delay its Premier League season in order to get its stadium ready for the big time.
This was Rob Edwards, himself in the model of mid-2010s Eddie Howe, asking every question of his managerial counterpart by constantly threatening the hosts out wide.
And it was Newcastle, instilled with system confidence by Howe, never feeling like they’d do anything but come back.
Fun. The neutrals will take it.
What’s next?
Luton has a huge match, as Sheffield United visits at 10am ET Saturday. Newcastle then hosts Nottingham Forest at 12:30pm ET.
Newcastle vs Luton Town final score: 4-4
Goal: Longstaff (7', 23'), Osho (21'), Barkley (40'), Morris (pen. 59'), Adebayo (63'), Trippier (67'), Barnes (73')
Newcastle vs Luton Town player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
Newcastle vs Luton Town player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Newcastle vs Luton Town player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Newcastle vs Luton Town video highlights, updates as they happened
Harvey Barnes goal (video)
Pick your meme: “What is going on?” from “The Office” or Spider-man meme for these defenses.
Luton turned over deep in their end and Harvey Barnes rolls a pretty shot home. 4-4!
Kieran Trippier goal (video)
Newcastle fans are waiting for a whistle to review what they hope will be a penalty from VAR, but their Magpies score anyway.
It’s a sensational outside-of-the-boot pass from Bruno Guimaraes that picks out a hungry Trippier for 4-3.
23 minutes to go and feels like more goals in it.
Elijah Adebayo goal (video): Newcastle exposed again
Dan Burn is having a bad half.
Luton counter and they have all day to do so.
Burn gives Adebayo the time to fire past Dubravka. It’s very poor defending and the Magpies have less than 30 minutes to score twice.
Luton penalty: Carlton Morris goal (video)
Dan Burn is, pardon the expression, burnt by his man and the foul is outside the box.
But VAR has a long look and decides it was significant inside the 18.
Carlton Morris smashes home but he’s taken it too early. He rolls home his second effort and it’s 3-2 with more than a half-hour to play.
Ross Barkley goal (video)
Longstaff giveth and Longstaff taketh away.
Newcastle’s brace scorer gets sloppy in the middle of the park, and Ross Barkley turns him over with vigor.
Barkley works the ball out left and then has all day to deposit Martin Dubravka’s rebound. 2-2 before halftime.
Longstaff again!
Go re-read our other post: Sean Longstaff is good at two things — running and arriving in the box.
This time is Anthony Gordon working Osho on the left, and he overcomes a sloppy touch to rip a shot on goal.
It’s parried by Longstaff is always smelling out the ball in the 18. He’s got the scent, and pounded it home for 2-1.
Gabriel Osho goal (video)
And we’re level!
Ross Barkley sends a free kick over the fray where it’s knocked back into the mix by a header.
Gabriel Osho beats his man to the ball and slots for 1-1!
Sean Longstaff goal (video)
Kieran Trippier’s slump is long over, and he’s got a Premier League-best ninth assist of the season.
Lewis Miley unlocks the goal, and Trippier’s cross is thumped home by Sean Longstaff.
Longstaff does two things really well: Run all the time and arrive in the box. Both of those things came in handy here.
How to watch Newcastle vs Luton Town live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 10am ET, Saturday (February 3)
TV Channel: Peacock
Online: Stream via Peacock Premium
Newcastle lineup
HOWAY THE LADS! 👊#NEWLUT // #NUFC pic.twitter.com/LmGCtT3Fhd
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 3, 2024
Luton Town lineup
Your Tyneside Hatters. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/7eS08fa9Oe
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) February 3, 2024
Newcastle focus, team news
OUT: Sandro Tonali (suspension), Joelinton (thigh), Nick Pope (shoulder), Matt Targett (thigh), Elliot Anderson (back) | QUESTIONABLE: Alexander Isak (groin), Callum Wilson (calf), Jamaal Lascelles (knock), Harvey Barnes (foot), Joe Willock (achilles)
Luton Town focus, team news
OUT: Tom Lockyer (heart), Issa Kabore (undisclosed), Marvelous Nakamba (knee), Mads Andersen (calf) | QUESTIONABLE: Jacob Brown (knee), Teden Mengi (hip)
