Harvey Barnes: Newcastle United’s In-Form Goal Threat

With four goals in his last two games and eleven in total this season, Harvey Barnes is enjoying the best spell of form he’s had since joining Newcastle United.

A Tough Start to Life at Newcastle United

Harvey Barnes’ early Newcastle career never really had the chance to gather momentum. A long-term injury picked up early in his first season disrupted his settling-in period and left him playing catch-up from the outset.

That spell on the sidelines coincided with Anthony Gordon making the left-wing role his own, while Miguel Almirón was also enjoying a strong run of goalscoring form.

Even when fit, Barnes found it difficult to force his way into a settled side, and limited starts made it hard for him to show his best form.

As a result, most of his minutes came from the bench — but with an unexpected return. Barnes began scoring goals, and important ones too.

Signed from Leicester City for £45m as a proven goalscoring winger, Barnes’ goalscoring impact as a substitute during his first season — repeated again last year — quickly earned him the inevitable label of Super Sub.

From Super Sub to Trusted Starter

Barnes first real opportunity to get a run of games in his favoured left wing spot came when Anthony Gordon picked up an injury and suspension towards the end of last season.

He played a full part in the historic 2-1 defeat of Liverpool that brought a domestic trophy back to Newcastle for the first time in 70 years.

Barnes then scored four goals in three games in April to end the season on a very respectable 9 in 33 appearances. That return of one goal every four games is a statistic that has been part of his game since making his debut for Leicester.

So far in the 2025/26 season Harvey Barnes has been in exceptional form for Newcastle United, particularly in the cup competitions and recent league matches.

He has recorded 11 goals in 16 starts across 30 total appearances. That has made him Newcastle's top scorer so far this season and - with four goals in his last two games - his days of being considered no more than a Super Sub are now behind him.

What This Means for Barnes — and Newcastle United

As well as shaking off the unwanted Super Sub tag Harvey Barnes goalscoring form has brought him into contention for a place in Scotland's World Cup squad.

Unlikely as it would have seemed pre-season, Barnes could even have an outside chance of making the England squad - potentially taking the place of Anthony Gordon who has yet to produce the form that earned him his international caps.

Being eligible for both Scotland and England gives Barnes two chances of playing in the World Cup if he maintains his current level of performances.

For Eddie Howe, Barnes may be a solution to the problem right wing position.

Jacob Murphy hasn't hit the heights of last season and Anthony Elanga has so far failed to make an impression since his move from Nottingham Forest.

If Eddie keeps to his favourite 4-3-3 formation it is vital that the two wingers perform at a consistent level. With Barnes happy to play on the right, allowing Gordon to play in his preferred position on the left, Harvey can be the first choice right winger in Newcastle's best eleven.

Harvey Barnes previous goal scoring record shows that this current run is no flash in the pan. He is now well on target to beat his previous best seasons tally of 13 in the Premier League with Leicester. Three more goals is all he needs to set a new benchmark.

A measure of how much of a goal threat Harvey Barnes has been throughout his time at Newcastle is that few fans will be surprised at how often he is hitting the back of the net.

Long may it continue.

Last Post Eddie's Bingo v Man City

Next Post Manchester City Match Preview