Newcastle United delivered a commanding 4-1 victory over Manchester United on Sunday, with Harvey Barnes starring in the win by scoring twice, alongside goals from Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes. The result, marking their first league double over United since the 1930-31 season, was a significant boost in their push for a Champions League spot.
However, there was one notable absentee from the celebrations – manager Eddie Howe. Howe, who has been absent since Friday due to a health issue, was in hospital, leaving assistant managers Jason Tindall and Graeme Jones to lead the team. Despite his absence, the players were determined to deliver a performance that would lift Howe’s spirits.
“We had a job to do without him,” Barnes said after the match. “We knew we had to put a smile on his face.”
Howe, 47, is still recovering in the hospital, but was able to watch the game and send a message of congratulations to the team. Tindall, who has worked closely with Howe for 17 years, emphasized the importance of delivering a performance Howe would be proud of.
“I’ve just seen a message from him congratulating us,” said Tindall. “He trusted the decisions we’d make, and we delivered a performance he’d be proud of.”
Newcastle’s remarkable form continued as they recorded their fourth consecutive win, with a strong push for the top four. Since December 14, only Liverpool has garnered more points than the Magpies, who sit just behind them in the standings.
Barnes, who was awarded Man of the Match for his brace, echoed the sentiment of the team: “It’s been a weird week without the gaffer being in. We went into the game knowing exactly what we needed to do.”
Newcastle’s win over Manchester United puts them in a prime position to secure a Champions League spot, with their next game against Crystal Palace offering a chance to climb further up the table.
As the team looks ahead to the final stretch of the season, all eyes are on Howe’s recovery, with the players hoping to continue their impressive form and deliver a strong finish to what has been a historic season for the club.
