Although Newcastle United overcame Luton Town to draw 4–4, the Magpies were just as “frustrated” as the home crowd that they did not win at St. James’ Park.
Describing this game goes beyond the term “chaos.” With eight goals scored by seven different players and a total of 30 shots, the match at St James’ Park concluded in the 100th minute with players resembling battered boxers after a grueling twelve-round bout. The final score: Newcastle United 4-4 Luton Town.
Summing up this intense encounter is a challenge. Throughout the exhilarating match, players, staff, and fans experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, as what started as an afternoon delight quickly turned to despair and vice versa. Even Luton boss Rob Edwards conceded that it had taken a toll on his heart. “I won’t use the term I used in the dressing room, but there were moments when I was genuinely concerned,” admitted Edwards.
Certainly, Eddie Howe must have shared similar sentiments when Elijah Adebayo extended Luton’s lead to 4-2 after the hour mark. At that point, securing a draw would have been a relief for Newcastle.
Newcastle staged a recovery with goals from Kieran Trippier and substitute Harvey Barnes, yet the Magpies acknowledged that they should never have found themselves in that precarious position initially. Harvey Barnes, reflecting on the atmosphere in the dressing room away from the cameras, admitted to a definite sense of disappointment. Eddie Howe added that the players were frustrated with the missed opportunity, expressing their eagerness to win games for Newcastle.
The frustration is heightened for Newcastle, especially considering their impressive 3-1 victory against Aston Villa earlier in the week. While solid and disciplined at Villa Park, their performance at St James’ on Saturday lacked the same attributes, proving costly.
A notable example was Dan Burn, who had delivered a commanding performance against Villa but struggled against Luton’s Chiedozie Ogbene. Ogbene caused problems early on, but the warning signs were ignored. In the second half, a footrace resulted in Burn conceding a penalty, adding to Newcastle’s woes. The chants of “Tino! Tino! Tino!” from the crowd after Luton’s fourth goal added insult to injury for the defender, highlighting the contrast from his crucial role in last season’s meanest Premier League defense.
The team’s inconsistency, evident in the absence of key players like Joelinton and Joe Willock, remains a concern. Despite the return of Harvey Barnes and Callum Wilson strengthening the forward department, injuries persist, with Anthony Gordon leaving St James’ on crutches after twisting his ankle on the same day.
Facing the challenge of playing without a recognized striker, Newcastle needed contributions from others, and Sean Longstaff swiftly stepped up to the task.
Just seven minutes into the game, Lewis Miley found space away from Teden Mengi and Ross Barkley, delivering a precise pass to Kieran Trippier on the right. Trippier, skillfully keeping the ball in play, sent a low cross into the box. Sean Longstaff made a perfectly timed late run, slipping past two defenders to connect and give Newcastle an early lead.
However, Luton leveled the score midway through the first half, capitalizing on their set-piece threat. Ross Barkley’s free-kick was headed back across goal by Carlton Morris, and the unmarked Gabriel Osho headed it in off the underside of the crossbar.
Newcastle quickly regained the lead when Miguel Almiron set Anthony Gordon on a sprint, and Gordon’s shot was parried by Thomas Kaminski into the path of Longstaff, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
Despite reclaiming the lead, Newcastle struggled to control the game, allowing Luton to equalize again before halftime. Jacob Murphy seemed to have slowed down Barkley, but the latter recovered possession, played a clever reverse pass to Alfie Doughty, and Dubravka fumbled the resulting cross. Barkley capitalized on the opportunity to level the score again.
As the players left the field at halftime, St James’ Park fell silent. Callum Wilson came on for his first appearance since Boxing Day, reminiscent of a day when Newcastle faced Nottingham Forest and were repeatedly torn apart.
Within an hour of play, Chiedozie Ogbene sprinted past Dan Burn on Newcastle’s left, with Burn attempting to hold him back. Ogbene stayed on his feet, raced into the box, and Burn, in a moment of panic, pulled him back. After a VAR check, a penalty was awarded without any protests, signaling a turning point in the match.
Morris was unfazed by a retake. Once again, the Luton captain executed a penalty kick straight down the middle with impressive poise, and this time it went in.
When Doughty sprinted forward and played the ball over to the powerful Barkley, Luton saw blood on the counterattack as Newcastle reeled and the hosts poured men forward. Adebayo was the one who struck the ball into the bottom corner after Luton’s talisman, with no one in close proximity, managed to carry the ball into the area and lay it off for him.
Newcastle faced an uphill battle, reminiscent of their previous defeat against Forest. However, in contrast, manager Eddie Howe had options on the bench, making immediate changes by bringing on Harvey Barnes and Tino Livramento for Miguel Almiron and Dan Burn.
Midway through the second half, Newcastle made a comeback as Bruno delivered a cross with the outside of his boot. Kieran Trippier outmaneuvered Carlton Morris, scoring with a clever volley. The atmosphere inside St James’ Park intensified as the noise levels rose, and Trippier, seizing the moment, grabbed the ball to lead his teammates back for the restart.
The dynamics of the game shifted, symbolized by Ross Barkley’s uncharacteristically heavy touch deep inside his own half late in the match. Lewis Miley seized the opportunity, dispossessing Barkley, and passed the ball to Barnes. The substitute skillfully evaded defenders before curling a precise strike past Thomas Kaminski, leveling the score at 4-4 and igniting jubilation among the Geordies. This proved to be the final twist in a thrilling and unpredictable afternoon.