‘Incredible’… Eddie Howe blown away by what £39m Newcastle player did last weekend

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Eddie Howe believes that Newcastle United’s £39million decision has now been justified after Saturday.

The Magpies were held to a 4-4 draw by Luton Town, but there was a special moment for Harvey Barnes.

He made his first appearance since September, after finally recovering from a foot injury. It was a surprisingly long absence, but Barnes marked his comeback with a goal. It was an excellent one too, caressing the ball beyond Thomas Kaminski in front of the Gallowgate to make it 4-4.

The 26-year-old now has two goals for Newcastle United this season, both of which have come at that end of St James’ Park. His first was the Magpies’ fifth against Aston Villa on the opening day of the season, and his second was even more important.

The goal delighted Eddie Howe, who believes that the ‘incredible’ strike proves exactly why he was right to bring Barnes to the club in the first place.

Eddie Howe delighted with ‘incredible’ Harvey Barnes

Howe has spoke to the Chronicle about Barnes’ return and has praised the winger for his goal.

“That’s what Harvey does, that’s why we brought him to the football club,” he said.

“He is a goal scorer. His record last year at Leicester was incredible and we hoped, of course, that he would come here and bring goals to us.

“Unfortunately, he’s missed such a big part of the season and it’s huge to get him back I thought it was an incredible finish off his wrong foot, a really, really good goal and I think he had another chance late on as well, so I was really pleased with his impact.”

Barnes will bring more goals to Newcastle

As Howe says, Barnes is a goalscorer. He has got two in eight appearances for the Magpies, and there will surely be more to come this season.

The England international is a clinical finisher, and that is exactly why Newcastle brought him to Tyneside. He cost a lot of money at £39million, but he will justify that price tag with each goal he scores.

He is a real contrast to Allan Saint-Maximin, who he replaced at St James’ Park. While Maxi was incredibly gifted and a joy to watch, he was not decisive in the final third. Barnes is, and that is why he can end up having a much bigger impact in black and white.

Howe is delighted to have him back, and will be hoping that the summer signing can enjoy a strong second half of the season after a lengthy injury layoff.