Harvey Barnes bags brace against former club West Brom to fire Newcastle through
By Rebecca Johnson, Press Association
Harvey Barnes’ second-half brace helped Newcastle clinch a 3-2 Carabao Cup win over West Brom.
Isaac Price sent the Baggies in front with a brilliant free-kick, but Newcastle responded through debutant Bazoumana Toure and substitute Barnes either side of the break.
The tie took a twist when Price levelled from the penalty spot in the 77th minute, but Barnes struck four minutes later against his former club to seal the Magpies’ place in the third round.
Newcastle announced the signing of Nico Gonzalez as Matthias Jaissle continues to bolster his squad before the transfer window closes and the midfielder was then presented to St James’ Park before kick-off.
The Magpies boss made six changes from Sunday’s draw with Liverpool, which included bows for Ewen Jaouen and Toure, while West Brom also made six changes from their victory over Burnley.
A bright start for the hosts saw Joe Willock curl an effort past a post before Lewis Hall’s strike was saved.
It was the visitors who took the lead 20 minutes in when Price launched a free-kick from 25 yards out into the bottom right corner past goalkeeper Jaouen, who did get a hand to it.
West Brom looked to capitalise as Jimmy-Jay Morgan skewed an effort wide and Toure’s hooked shot was saved for Newcastle, but the debutant made no mistake to level in the 38th minute.
After a spell of pressure, Amar Dedic played a cross into the six-yard area, which Toure bundled home.
The visitors threatened just before the break when Morgan was unable to connect with Conor Townsend’s menacing cross.
Matt Ingram made a solid stop to push away Malick Thiaw’s header shortly after the restart, but Barnes fired the Magpies ahead.
Barnes sent a strike into the box and after a scramble, the winger latched onto the loose ball to stab home from close range.
An entertaining start to the half saw Willock thrash a shot wide and Price denied by Jaouen.
Although Newcastle controlled proceedings, West Brom were able to level in the 77th minute after being awarded a penalty when Hall handled the ball in the area and Price dispatched the spot-kick into the bottom corner.
Newcastle nearly struck twice in quick succession when Hall rattled a post and Yoane Wissa smashed the ball over, but Barnes proved to be the difference, guiding the ball into the bottom corner from Dedic’s cross in the 81st minute.
Jaouen pushed away Jayson Molumby’s menacing free-kick in the final stages as Newcastle saw out the win.