Newcastle analysis: Barnes embodies resilience

Newcastle looked anything but resilient when they floundered at the Gtech Community Stadium this month.

But Eddie Howe stopped short of making sweeping changes and instead gave the bulk of these players the chance to make amends.

They certainly did that.

Newcastle looked more like their old energetic selves as captain Bruno Guimaraes celebrated winning tackles, the returning Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento raced up and down the flanks, and Malick Thiaw stood up to Erling Haaland.

However, in some ways, it was a forward who embodied the side's newfound resilience.

Harvey Barnes missed a couple of huge chances in the first half - even firing wide with the goal gaping after Jacob Murphy picked him out at the back post.

But he rallied after the break. Not only did Barnes open the scoring with a clinical finish from outside the area, but he stepped up again after Manchester City drew level.

Newcastle have been brittle this season, throwing away more points - nine - from winning positions than any other Premier League side, but this time they found a way to win thanks to Barnes' close-range finish.

No wonder Barnes was handed a standing ovation when he came off late on. No wonder supporters were singing "Barnes will tear you apart again" as they left the stadium at full-time.

This felt like a big result for Newcastle.