Newcastle United

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Harvey Barnes has given his opinion on Newcastle United's tendency to concede late goals this season, after Eddie Howe's side let in an 88th-minute equaliser against Nottingham Forest last time out.

Elliot Anderson's goal was the 20th Newcastle United have conceded after the 75th-minute mark in the Premier League this season.

"It is disappointing," Barnes admitted on BBC Radio Newcastle. "There was a little bit of back and forth, and then we obviously got the goal and went ahead.

"We looked comfortable for a bit and we looked like we might get another one. We had a few chances - and then it [what followed] has just been the story of the season.

"We have been sinking in, conceding to pressure and ultimately conceding goals a little bit late in games. It is something we definitely haven't dealt with well enough when we go ahead in games.

"In the last 10 minutes or so, we seem to get a bit nervous. We seem to lose that confidence to go and get another goal, and ultimately we just try to defend the lead, which we haven't done well enough as a whole this year.

"There's maybe a little bit of fatigue at the end of games. When it happens once or twice, maybe the confidence drops and you automatically do it as a team.

"It's not an instruction. It's just something that seems to creep into our game a bit. It's something we have to stop doing."

Former Magpies defender John Anderson suggests it is a "psychological issue" that Howe's team are facing.

"It can be a mentality thing," Anderson explained. "When it happens so many times, it becomes psychological as well.

"You don't realise that you're dropping as deep as you're dropping, and giving as much space as you're giving, because you're trying to protect what you've got, especially when there is only one goal in it.

"It isn't a deliberate ploy. It is just trying to hang on to what you've got."

Listen to the full conversation on BBC Sounds

Harvey Barnes has become a "super sub" for Newcastle United, says former Magpies defender John Anderson.

The forward came on as a substitute in the 61st minute at Nottingham Forest on Sunday to score his side's only goal and earn them a point.

When asked by BBC Radio Newcastle if Barnes is the best finisher at the club, Anderson said: "I wouldn't disagree with that at all. I said this yesterday, he gets in those positions. You put your house on it.

"He doesn't panic, he's calm, puts his foot through it, goes either side and yes, you'd probably say that he is the best finisher at the club.

"Full credit to him, you know, he's never been a regular. He's been in and out of the side and he's been used as, I suppose, a super sub you could say. But he's had more of an impact coming off the bench than he has starting games, to be fair. He's scored important goals for us coming off the bench."

Barnes has started 32 games out of 56 across all competitions for Newcastle this season - while scoring 11 of his total 16 goals - but his minutes per goal is healthier when he is substituted on. The 28-year-old scores a goal every 240 minutes when starting a match, but this is reduced to 120 when coming off the bench.

But on why Barnes doesn't start regularly, Anderson put it down to the competition.

"I think the answer to that is he probably wants to start on that left-hand side," he said.

"Yes, he's played on the right, but would prefer to start and play on that left-hand side and for the majority of the season, Anthony Gordon's got that gig. Apart from the times when he was playing through the middle and Barnes got a few games on that left-hand side.

"But as I say, he's had more of an impact for me coming off the bench. Yet again, he comes off the bench and scores an important goal for us [against Forest]."

Click play above to hear the chat or listen on BBC Sounds here

• Anderson: "Lewis Hall didn't look comfortable at right-back"

Former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann has outlined his idea to improve how corners are officiated in future.

In the aftermath of weekend controversy over players grappling in the penalty area, he has told BBC Sport a rule whereby attacking players cannot enter the six-yard box until a corner has been taken would be his preference.

Ex-Premier League defender Nedum Onuoha backed the idea and thinks it will add "creativity" to corner kicks and the move would force "people to think in a different way".

You can watch a clip of the debate above, with Onuoha stating: "Twenty players standing in the six-yard box, you have to ask yourself, is that what you want to see? And is that the best version of the game?"

• Listen to the show in full on BBC Sounds

• Watch the show in full on iPlayer

Charlotte Robson
Fan writer

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I started this season excited about the Champions League, excited about cup runs, excited about the development of our players and to see how Newcastle United continued to add to the last few seasons of progress.

I seem to be ending the season relieved that we're mathematically safe from relegation. Much to consider.

This weekend saw us draw at Nottingham Forest after taking the lead. That's a massive 27 points dropped from leading positions this season alone. You'll never sing that etc.

I find myself frustrated by our teamsheet in the 75 minutes before a game. Sometimes, I am wrong. I'm not too proud to admit that (she says, swallowing bile). I was startled by the line-up against Brighton and we won that game. On Sunday, I found myself surprised again as the team was announced and it looked suspiciously like a back five. OK! Let's try it.

Except we didn't try it because what actually happened was that potentially England's best left-back, Lewis Hall, was played at right-back. Yes, Nick Woltemade came in and played up top with William Osula, which was nice, but he also seemed to have a fluid midfield type role which I consider less nice. For him.

Eddie Howe's post-match comments for the last two games have been very interesting to me. Post-Brighton, he said he had picked the players he could "trust", which seemed like pointed language from a man not usually flippant with words.

After this weekend's game, he said that he had picked the players based on who would be here in the future. Ostensibly this answer was about Kieran Trippier, who has already announced he'll be leaving, but left a bit of a question mark over Anthony Gordon, who was also not selected.

Another game and another news conference that leaves me with more questions than answers.

Find more from Charlotte Robson at the True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast, external

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Former Newcastle United defender John Anderson believes the club has "no need to sell" Anthony Gordon this summer, despite Eddie Howe stating he is "looking to the future" after not bringing the 25-year-old off the bench in consecutive games.

"Well, people jump straight on the bandwagon when managers say that line, don't they?" Anderson said on BBC Radio Newcastle. "But the fact is if the club don't get the right amount of money for Anthony Gordon, they don't have to sell him.

"He still has four years of his contract left, so it isn't as if all of a sudden the club is having to settle for getting what they can for the boy.

"There are also one or two other players in the squad who could fall into the same category. There has been talk of Tino Livramento leaving, but I would say his position is weak with his injury situation in mind. There has also been talk around Sandro Tonali.

"Obviously, one or two players are going to have to leave. Although there will be money available, the club are still going to have to generate funds from player sales, if they are looking to strengthen before the beginning of next season."

Listen to the full conversation below or on BBC Sounds here

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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Newcastle's Lewis Hall has refused to give up on Europe as the Magpies look to salvage their season.

Eddie Howe's side are 13th in the Premier League after Sunday's 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest.

Harvey Barnes' 16th goal of the season looked like sending the visitors ninth to boost their slim European hopes.

But Elliot Anderson's late equaliser, against his boyhood club, denied them and left Newcastle six points adrift of seventh-placed Brighton in a congested fight for Europe.

"We are relying on other results as well which is never what you want to be doing," said full-back Hall. "We need to be focused on winning the next two games and if it puts us in that position we can be really happy with how we have turned it around.

"Any European football would be good for the club and the fans. They have stuck with us in a difficult period so if we can give them something to be happy about at the end of the season we'll be happy."

The Magpies came fifth last season but have dropped 27 points this term from winning positions to end their hopes of a Champions League return.

They host West Ham on Saturday before ending the season at Fulham, with Hall denying the team is too fragile when defending a lead.

"I wouldn't say soft but it is something we've looked at and something to try to put right," he said.

"Throughout the season you are going to lose points from winning positions - 27 sounds a lot but in seasons where we have done well we've always dropped points from winning positions.

"It's a big number, we have two games left and have to try not to let it happen again."

Three Premier League clubs - Newcastle, Liverpool, and Everton - are targeting 29-year-old England forward Jarrod Bowen, even if West Ham avoid relegation. (Mail), external

Monaco's Lamine Camara is also on Newcastle's radar, but they may face competition from Liverpool for the 22-year-old Senegal midfielder. (L'Equipe, in French – subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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We asked for your views on Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe's decision to leave Anthony Gordon on the bench as an unused substitute for a second week running because the head coach is "looking at the future".

Here are some of your thoughts:

Phil: He can have his moments but he doesn't come across as a team player, which is very frustrating. If we can get a good transfer fee then I wouldn't be bothered about him moving on. Personally, I prefer Harvey Barnes on the left anyway. Plus, if it's Bayern Munich he is going to and he is happy to play second fiddle to much better wingers, just to "contribute" towards winning trophies, then that's not who I want at Newcastle.

Rob: Regardless of his future at the club, Howe should always play his strongest side. Benching Gordon, given how post-Christmas has gone, is tantamount to sabotaging your own side, especially when we've got similar points to Tottenham. Playing your favourites to the detriment of playing players in their best position is the same. Howe needs to go.

Tony: Let the manager manage. He knows the squad and the individuals. He knows what's needed for next season. What we think is a waste of time.

Paul: Unless Gordon wants to go, there are no good reasons to sell him. He is a versatile, committed attacker of quality. Why else would he be in the England squad and have big clubs constantly sniffing around him?

Peter: Everton fans warned us about this, so I kind of expected it. But, much like the rest of the squad, he hasn't been at his best recently.

Tom: If he is going, we need to avoid a repeat of last year's Alexander Isak debacle. Get it done early, scout a bit wider than the Premier League or players the bigger clubs are interested in and buy early so the player gets as close to a full pre-season as possible. I would prefer us to sell for £10-15m less, if it means it gets done.

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Nottingham Forest and Newcastle.

Here are some of your comments:

Nottingham Forest fans

Richard: A gritty battling performance with a depleted squad to see the Reds over the finishing line of safety. Over the last month every player in the squad has played their part in securing safety in the Premier League and reaching the semi-final of the Europa League. This truly is an amazing football club.

Kris: A hard-earned point and another season of Premier League football assured. So pleased for Elliot Anderson, showing great character. A lot to do over the summer and hopefully recruitment will be better and we'll have a little less managerial drama!

Colin: On the back of getting knocked out of Europe on Thursday and also having played so many games in a short period of time along with all the injuries we have, it wasn't the best performance as regards good football but the effort and commitment to get a result to stay in the Premier League next season was immense. Well done Nottingham Forest.

Mark: Fair result, Forest looked like they were running on fumes. Tactical changes after 10 minutes or so made it more of a competition. Newcastle looked slick at times, so thanks to Matz Sels for keeping us in the game.

Newcastle fans

Geoff: Exactly the same as we've played all season. Play well. Dominate the game. Take the lead only to lose it again late in game. Eddie Howe has gone as far as he can with this team. Replace him and clear out half of that inept team too.

Mike: Another poor performance, except for one good move that resulted in a goal. Lots of possession and opportunities but no killer instinct in front of goal and poor defending. Too predictable I'm afraid!

Gordon: Yet again we took the lead and failed to defend it. What an unbelievable sequence this season. Full marks to Forest and Elliot Anderson in particular. You deserved the point.

GPW: Same old defensive frailties combined with very poor finishing sums up Newcastle this season!

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

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Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe says he left forward Anthony Gordon on the bench for the second week running because he is "looking at the future".

The England international has been the subject of formal interest from Bayern Munich.

Although Gordon missed the defeats by Arsenal and Bournemouth in April with a minor hip flexor issue, he was fit enough to return to the squad for the subsequent fixtures against Brighton and Nottingham Forest.

However, Howe did not call upon the club's top scorer for either game despite naming him on the bench.

"It was tactical," he told BBC Radio Newcastle about Gordon's latest omission, following Sunday's 1-1 draw at the City Ground.

"The team has performed well in Anthony's absence. Obviously, we have gone with a bit more solidity with Joelinton playing wide and one winger the other side just to try and strengthen us defensively, because we weren't happy with how we were defending.

"Since January, really, we have been disappointed - so a change of structure really. Ant has come back to fitness. He's training well but, also, I'm looking at the future as well."

How do you feel about the Gordon situation? Tell us

Newcastle United and England defender Dan Burn said therapy worked "quite well" for him as he urged those struggling with their mental health to seek help.

Burn was speaking at the launch of the 'One of Our Own', external initiative by the club and Newcastle City Council to mark Mental Health Awareness Week this week.

• Read more from Burn here

Newcastle are closing in on tying down English midfielder Lewis Miley, 20, to a long-term contract. (Sun), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

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Pundits Shay Given and Danny Murphy join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• West Ham 0-1 Arsenal

• Burnley 2-2 Aston Villa

• Nottingham Forest 1-1 Newcastle

• Crystal Palace 2-2 Everton

Ciaran Kelly
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Twenty-seven points thrown away from winning positions - it's the statistic that perfectly sums up Newcastle's bruising league season.

The visitors should have been out of sight at the City Ground.

They had numerous opportunities to open the scoring in the second half - even before substitute Harvey Barnes stepped up once again to deliver another goalscoring cameo.

The forward has bagged more memorable goals this season, including an opener against Barcelona and a double against Manchester City, but it looked like this strike would keep Newcastle's campaign alive as they chase a European spot.

But Eddie Howe's side have rarely looked entirely comfortable when in front this season.

Despite having far more recovery and preparation time than Nottingham Forest, who were playing their third game of the week, Newcastle were punished for some tired defending late on as Elliott Anderson haunted his boyhood club.

His name had been sung by the away end at one point, as a much-admired academy graduate who was only sold so the club could avoid a breach of profit and sustainability rules in 2024.

But it was Forest supporters who were serenading the 'Geordie Maradona' at full-time after he drove into the box and fired beyond a helpless Nick Pope.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Another game we should have won - we played pretty well. First half was a none event, neither team grabbed the game like they could have done.

"Second half we did do that, scored a great goal from our perspective and then was in the position to win the game. It's happened too many times this season where we haven't followed through and defended well enough."

On poor defending: "It contributes to a lot - the feeling when you are able to defend well and consistently keep clean sheets it stabilises you as a team and you feel you can see out a game. For whatever reason, a combination of factors in my opinion, we haven't delivered that and our confidence has been hit.

"I don't think there was any sign of that [Forest] goal coming, we defended pretty well overall but in a moment we've conceded.

"We did have a number of chances. That's the other way to defend - to score a second and third goal and that's something we've been good at over the years.

"We had some big moments before and after we scored. Their goalkeeper made some good saves, but we'll probably look at that with a different eye when we review it and see we could've been more clinical. I thought we were good between both boxes and a lot of positives, but ultimately we're disappointed to draw.

"The last three games have been a lot better. Better energy, focus and the players have been committed. We've had mixed results in those games but performances have been good."

Magpies goalscorer Harvey Barnes, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "A little bit disappointing. It was a little bit of a back and forth game and then we got the goal to go ahead. We looked comfortable for a bit and looked like we might get another one, and created a few chances.

"It has been the story of the season, late in games sinking in, conceding pressure and ultimately conceding goals, and that has cost us today.

"When we go ahead in games it's something that we've not dealt with well enough. We start to look nervy and lose the confidence to go and get another goal and ultimately just try to defend the lead which we haven't done well enough.

"It's hard to put your finger on exactly why, maybe a bit of fatigue towards the end of games, and then when it happens once or twice then the confidence drops.

"Dropping back is not an instruction, it is just something that seems to creep into our game and it is something we've got to stop doing."

On former teammate Elliot Anderson's late goal: "We had a few good years with him here and he played well today and ultimately scored the goal that leveled the game. Nice to see him doing well but not when we're playing against him."

Did you know?

• Newcastle have dropped more points from winning positions than any other side in the Premier League this season (27).

• Harvey Barnes has scored in back-to-back Premier League games for the first time since last November, while his 21 goal involvements in all competitions this season are as many as in his previous two campaigns with Newcastle combined (13 in 2024-25, eight in 2023-24).

Listen to Howe and Barnes on BBC Sounds.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Nottingham Forest's performance

What did you make of Newcastle's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Vitor Pereira makes four changes to his injury-hit Nottingham Forest side.

Matz Sels, Luca Netz, Dilane Bakwa and Taiwo Awoniyi start for the hosts with Murillo, Ibrahim Sangare, Ola Aina and Morgan Gibbs-White all sidelined.

It is only defender Netz's second start since his February arrival and just winger Bakwa's sixth Premier League start of the season.

Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Jair Cunha, Milenkovic, Morato, Netz, Anderson, Dominguez, Williams, Bakwa, I.Jesus, Awoniyi.

Subs: Ortega, Wood, Lucca, Hutchinson, Moreira, Yates, McAtee, Whitehall, Sinclair.

Record signing Nick Woltemade makes his first start since March as Newcastle make two changes for the trip to the City Ground.

The Germany international and Lewis Hall have both been recalled by head coach Eddie Howe as he tweaks his side following last week's win against Brighton.

Hall comes back in after Lewis Miley broke his leg in training earlier this week. It remains to be seen if Newcastle are lining up with a back five or if Hall has been tasked with playing out of position at right-back.

Newcastle XI: Pope; Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Woltemade, Osula.

Subs: Ramsdale, Trippier, Wissa, Gordon, Barnes, Elanga, Willock, A Murphy, Ramsey.

There are four games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Burnley v Aston Villa - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Crystal Palace v Everton - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Nottingham Forest v Newcastle - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• West Ham v Arsenal (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-offs 14:00 BST unless stated

Follow the three 14:00 games here

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Former Newcastle defender Olivier Bernard believes Dan Burn is the safest option at left-back for the remaining three games of the season

Hall is considered the first-choice option under Eddie Howe, having started the majority of matches this season in that position, while Burn has also filled in when needed.

And after what has been a difficult season for Newcastle, Bernard thinks they need to "start with the basics" in order to finish on a high.

"It's difficult because they are two different players," he told BBC Radio Newcastle. "One is an attacking full back and the other is more defensive, who likes to go forward.

"Burn isn't the quickest, but he likes to overlap and he has the cardio for it, whereas Hall is a more tidy player who likes to go one-on-one.

"I'd like to see Burn playing as left-back. I'm not saying he is left-back, but in terms of security, Burn is the better choice.

"If you are losing by one or two goals then Hall would be a better option to get back into the game.

"It's difficult and it is up to the manager, but Burn is the security and should start.

"You need to start with the basics and level up if needed."

Nottingham Forest are not quite mathematically safe yet on 42 points and this weekend they play before West Ham and Tottenham do, so they will go into this game still needing something.

Forest have come a long way under Vitor Pereira and are playing really well at the moment and scoring goals, but Morgan Gibbs-White has been key to all of that so they really need him to be available after his horrific head injury.

My other worry with Forest is how much Thursday's Europa League semi-final with Aston Villa will take out of them - but at the same time I am not sure Newcastle can take advantage even if they are tired.

The Magpies' win over Brighton was much-needed for their boss Eddie Howe but it was far from convincing. All things considered, this will probably end up in a draw.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here