Barnes double fires Newcastle past Manchester United
Newcastle United remains in the hunt for one of the Champions League spots at the end of the season after brushing aside Manchester United.
Harvey Barnes scored twice to send Newcastle United fourth in the Premier League with a 4-1 win over Manchester United at St. James' Park.
A dominant Newcastle, whose boss Eddie Howe was absent due to illness, saw a Joelinton goal disallowed for offside in the opening minute, after Kieran Trippier had strayed past the last man before playing the cross.
However, it took the lead lead through Sandro Tonali, who watched Alexander Isak's flick all the way to meet it on the volley.
Alejandro Garnacho restored parity with a breakaway goal before the break. Diogo Dalot drove through midfield before setting up the Argentinian to slot it through Fabian Schar's legs.
Barnes came to the fore with two goals in the space of 15 minutes after the break, tapping his first into an empty net before drilling in a second with a powerful effort after Noussair Mazraoui had slipped.
A mistake from Altay Bayindir – who replaced the beleaguered Andre Onana in United's goal – enabled Newcastle to add more gloss in the 77th minute.
The goalkeeper's attempt to play out from the back was blocked by Joelinton, who then picked out Bruno Guimaraes to slot in their fourth.
Newcastle is one point behind third-placed Nottingham Forest, with a game in hand on the teams around it, while United dropped below Everton into 14th on goal difference.
