Local Newcastle media now deliver their verdict on Harvey Barnes’ debut last night

Add as preferred source on Google

Harvey Barnes made his Newcastle United debut in the 3-3 draw with Aston Villa giving fans a chance to see what the new arrival can do.

In a shock move, Harvey Barnes was given 20 minutes of game time last night as Newcastle and Aston Villa got their Premier League Summer Series underway in Philadelphia.

Barnes had only been announced by the club hours before kick-off but it turns out he’d been flown out to the USA to link up with his new club at some point over the weekend allowing him time to shake off the jet lag and get to work.

Eddie Howe handed Barnes a 20 minute debut against Aston Villa

Eddie Howe said before the game kicked off that Barnes would make his debut, but I’m not sure anyone was expecting him to get 20 minutes of action.

Full credit to Barnes, he looked sharp and ready to go. The Chronicle agreed, with their player ratings at full time handing the debutant an 8/10 saying: “A promising opening spell for the new boy that included some good touches and he may even have won it late on.”

Barnes almost grabbed the winner when he took aim from the outside of the area to try and find the top corner, but he didn’t get hold of the shot as well as he’d have liked and Villa ‘keeper Robin Olsen gratefully plucked the ball out of the air.

Barnes could be devastating playing with Gordon and Isak

What really impressed was his link up with Anthony Gordon. When they play together more and develop an understanding they are going to be devastating. With their pace and Barnes’ love of a give-and-go they will absolutely tear defenses apart if Howe plays them together.

We saw Barnes try a few one-twos but nobody was on his wavelength just yet, but once that clicks it’s going to unlock a new way of playing for Newcastle. It’s something that I feel will really suit Alexander Isak‘s style of play so the two could form a deadly partnership.

Hopefully we’ll get to see more from Barnes in the next fixture against Chelsea on in the early hours of Thursday morning (1:15am kick off).