Obviously this is the first name on the Newcastle United teamsheet against Manchester City | OneFootball

This will be the easiest decision of all for Eddie Howe.

In six days time when Newcastle United face Manchester City.

The first name on the NUFC teamsheet.

Harvey Barnes.

Whilst those around him lost the plot in that first half at Craven Cottage, Harvey Barnes was the one Newcastle United player who held it together, who was composed on the ball.

Then in the second half, yet another superb finish to give Newcastle United hope.

It is what Harvey Barnes does.

Despite the Leicester City relegation at the end of the 2022/23 season, Harvey Barnes still scored 13 Premier League goals from his wing position and was top scorer for the club, 13 goals from 32 PL starts mighty impressive when you consider how poor Leicester were overall.

Harvey Barnes is Newcastle United’s top scorer this season with three goals, nobody else has more than one, whilst the winger also has an assist to his name, that superb cross to pick out Gordon at Bournemouth to salvage a draw.

His goal on Saturday wasn’t enough to salvage anything for United at Fulham, but one thing for sure, plenty more of that to come from Harvey Barnes this season.

This is the real truth about Harvey Barnes laid out below, his Premier League record these last five and a bit years.

From the start of the 2019/20 Premier League season onwards.

My only surprise is how surprised so many Newcastle United fans are, at just how good and productive Harvey Barnes is!

2019/20 Premier League (Leicester City)

14 Direct Goal involvements (6 goals and 8 assists) – 2,094 PL minutes played

A Harvey Barnes direct goal involvement once every 149 minutes

2020/21 Premier League (Leicester City)

13 Direct Goal involvements (9 goals and 4 assists) – 1,950 PL minutes played

A Harvey Barnes direct goal involvement once every 150 minutes

2021/22 Premier League (Leicester City)

16 Direct Goal involvements (6 goals and 10 assists) – 2,107 PL minutes played

A Harvey Barnes direct goal involvement once every 131 minutes

2022/23 Premier League (Leicester City)

14 Direct Goal involvements (13 goals and 1 assist) – 2,720 PL minutes played

A Harvey Barnes direct goal involvement once every 194 minutes

2023/24 Premier League (Newcastle United)

8 Direct Goal involvements (5 goals and 3 assists) – 795 PL minutes played

A Harvey Barnes direct goal involvement once every 99 minutes

2024/25 Premier League (Newcastle United)

4 Direct Goal involvements (3 goals and 1 assist) – 248 PL minutes played

A Harvey Barnes direct goal involvement once every 62 minutes

Total Harvey Barnes Direct Goal involvements these past five and a bit seasons (for Leicester and Newcastle):

69 Direct Goal involvements 42 goals and 27 assists) – 9,914 PL minutes played

A Harvey Barnes direct goal involvement once every 143 Premier League minutes, from the start of the 2019/20 PL season onwards.

What we are talking about, is very close to in that time, averaging two direct goal involvements every three Premier League matches.

Harvey Barnes now surely in the Newcastle United first eleven on a regular basis.

Fulham 3 Newcastle 1 – Saturday 21 September 3pm

(Stats via BBC Sport)

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Barnes 46

Fulham:

Jimenez 5, Smith-Rowe 22, Nelson 90+2

(Half-time stats in brackets)

Possession was Newcastle 61% (60%) Fulham 39% (40%)

Total shots were Newcastle 15 (4) Fulham 22 (13)

Shots on target were Newcastle 4 (1) Fulham 11 (7)

Corners were Newcastle 0 (0) Fulham 6 (3)

Touches in the box Newcastle 22 (10) Fulham 37 (20)

Newcastle United team v Fulham:

Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Kelly (Hall 46), Joelinton (Tonali 74), Bruno, Willock (Jacob Murphy 46), Barnes, Isak, Gordon (Osula 83)

Unused subs:

Dubravka, Krafth, Almiron, Longstaff

(BBC Sport comments from ‘neutrals’ – Interesting on Newcastle United after defeat at Fulham – Read HERE)

(Match Report – Fulham 3 Newcastle 1 – A game of two halves but Newcastle United failing in key moments – Read HERE)

(Fulham 3 Newcastle 1 – Instant Newcastle United fan / writer reaction – Read HERE)

Newcastle United upcoming match schedule, confirmed to end of November:

Tuesday 24 September 2024 – AFC Wimbledon v Newcastle (7.45pm) Sky Sports+

Saturday 28 September 2024 – Newcastle v Man City (12.30 pm) TNT Sports

Saturday 5 October – Everton v Newcastle (5.30pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 19 October – Newcastle v Brighton (3pm)

Sunday 27 October – Chelsea v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 2 November – Newcastle v Arsenal (12.30pm) TNT Sports