When looking over their 2024/25 campaign in detail, Newcastle United will very much jot it down as an overwhelming success.
After all, the Magpies would end up lifting some much-needed silverware in the EFL Cup final to end a major trophy drought, whilst Eddie Howe’s Toon would also just about qualify for the Champions League once again when finishing inside the top five spots in the Premier League.
But, that doesn’t stop there being a slight bad taste in the mouth concerning Newcastle’s 1-0 defeat to Everton on the final day, with a number of players showing to Howe they might well struggle competing in Europe’s elite competition again.
Newcastle's key underperformers vs Everton
Thankfully, Aston Villa also lost on their travels to Manchester United, meaning the Magpies luckily secured that final coveted fifth position by one slender point.
Still, Howe won’t just completely disregard the defeat, with certain individuals having a poor day at the office to end their respective seasons on a whimper.
Anthony Gordon would only see out one half of football for the Magpies, and for good reason, with nothing working out for the ex-Toffees man whatsoever down the left flank when failing to register a single on-target shot at Jordan Pickford’s goal.
Moreover, Alexander Isak looked tired and lethargic as Newcastle’s main man up top, seen in his lack of drive and energy when completing zero successful dribbles, alongside further fluffing his lines when three efforts went astray.
Jacob Murphy also looked wasteful on the ball when giving up possession a hefty 13 times, but there was one poor display that will have irked Howe the most and made him now contemplate whether this figure will be able to cut in when Champions League nights return to Tyneside.
The 5/10 star not good enough for the Champions League
Newcastle fans will obviously be over the moon that their team clinched Champions League football, irrespective of this final-day slip-up.
But, the Magpies masses won’t feel too confident moving forward that Harvey Barnes can do the business on some grand stages in Europe next season, based on his lacklustre performance against David Moyes’ well-drilled visitors.
The former Leicester City man can boast an impressive tally of nine strikes and four assists across 40 overall games, but he did struggle to get going against the Toffees, with May in general seeing a worrying dip in form.
Much like Gordon down the opposing left wing, Barnes would also fail to register a single on-target shot to try and catch the formidable Pickford cold, alongside also displaying signs of Murphy’s rashness on the ball when completing zero accurate crosses or long balls.
Minutes played
90
90
76
88
Final result
1-1 D
2-0 W
1-0 L
1-0 L
Goals scored
0
0
0
0
Assists
0
0
0
0
Touches
38
51
23
34
Accurate passes
17/21 (81%)
21/29 (72%)
13/14 (93%)
15/21 (71%)
Key passes
2
2
0
1
Accurate crosses
0/4
1/3
0/1
0/2
Accurate long balls
0
1/2
1/1
0/2
Shots
3
4
3
1
Successful dribbles
1/2
2/5
0
0/1
Total duels won
3/10
3/11
1/4
1/3
Looking at the table above, it’s even more clear that it’s been a rocky month for Barnes in general, as seen in the 27-year-old frustratingly ending the campaign with no goals or assists next to his name in May.
Consequently, the 5 foot 9 attacker nearly cost his team dear in their pursuit of Champions League action, with only 33 touches coming his way against Everton – actually a worse record overall than Toon goalkeeper Pope, who managed 38.
As a result, he would receive a dour 5/10 post-match rating from Chronicle Live journalist Lee Ryder, who stated simply that Barnes ‘didn’t deliver his best form’ against the Toffees.
Newcastle just can’t have these out-of-sorts performances popping up if they stand a chance at progressing far in the tricky competition, meaning Barnes could be warming the substitutes bench next season when fiercely contested mid-week ties are back on the Toon calendar.
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