Substitute Harvey Barnes marked his return from a long injury with a goal to rescue a point for Newcastle in an extraordinary eight-goal thriller against Luton.
In a breathless encounter, Sean Longstaff swept the hosts into the lead only for defender Gabriel Osho to head an equaliser off the underside of the bar.
The Hatters, however, were on level terms for just two minutes as Longstaff restored Newcastle’s advantage after Thomas Kaminski parried Anthony Gordon’s attempt into his path.
But Luton were far from done and equalised a second time before half-time, Ross Barkley firing home from five yards after the ball dropped invitingly at his feet following Martin Dubravka’s save to keep out Alfie Doughty.
The visitors went ahead for the first time when skipper Carlton Morris scored from a retaken penalty after a review by the video assistant referee (VAR) ruled Dan Burn had fouled the impressive Chiedozie Ogbene.
It looked all over when Elijah Adebayo made it 4-2 less than two minutes later, but Kieran Trippier’s first goal since August 2022 gave the Magpies hope before Barnes, in his first appearance since 24 September, drilled home to make it 4-4.
In one of the all-time great games of the Premier League era, Jacob Murphy missed a great chance to win it for Newcastle when he blazed over in the 85th minute before Ogbene was denied by Dubravka at the other end in the 98th minute.
Positives on a chaotic afternoon for Newcastle
There was applause around the ground at the full-time whistle after an incredible game which saw Newcastle twice concede the lead and then come back from 4-2 down to secure a point.
Boss Eddie Howe will prefer to focus on the positives rather than his side’s suspect defending, with the Magpies shipping another four goals after conceding three against both Manchester City and Nottingham Forest in their previous two home games.
And, amid the chaos, there were some pluses, not least the impact of Barnes and fellow substitute Callum Wilson – who came on for the injured Anthony Gordon who left the stadium on crutches – on their returns.
Former Leicester player Barnes showed his eye for goal has not diminished during five months on the sidelines.
The loss of Alexander Isak for “several weeks” is another setback in a season of injury woes for Howe, but the return of Barnes and Wilson will provide the Newcastle manager with optimism his side can finish the season strongly.
In addition, Trippier has more assists – nine – than any other player in the Premier League this season after setting up Longstaff for the first goal.
The Magpies were looking to build momentum after inflicting a first Premier League home defeat on Aston Villa in midweek.
Yet at the end of an incredible game, Newcastle were relieved to have secured one point.
“We are disappointed to have not grown stronger in the game,” said Howe, who has overseen just two victories in the past nine top-flight games.
“We made some poor decisions defensively. When we went 1-0 up I don’t think we handled it well until they equalised.
“I wanted us to grab control of the game but we didn’t. That’s the frustrating thing. In that moment we had a lack of confidence and then a real credit to the players for coming back because it is not easy to do.”
Luton play their part in astonishing game
Luton were well-backed at St James’ Park – the early start to travel across the country in time for kick-off well worth the effort for their fans in the end.
Hatters boss Rob Edwards and his players stayed out on the pitch for several minutes after full-time to show their appreciation to the supporters who made the long journey north.
There is so much to like about Luton this season and their fighting spirit once again surfaced as they came from behind on two occasions before taking a firm grip on proceedings.
There will be disappointment for Edwards and his players that they could not hold out after stunning St James’ Park by sweeping into a 4-2 lead just after the hour mark.
But Luton are showing spirit in abundance and, at times, are a joy to watch.
Everton’s battling draw against Tottenham in the early kick-off meant the Hatters started this game back in the bottom three.
Yet they ended the day up in 16th – with a one-point safety cushion – after playing their part in an astonishing game.
Player of the match
BarkleyRoss Barkley
Newcastle United
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Squad number67Player nameMiley
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Squad number39Player nameBruno Guimarães
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Squad number2Player nameTrippier
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Squad number15Player nameBarnes
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Squad number10Player nameGordon
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Squad number4Player nameBotman
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Squad number5Player nameSchär
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Squad number24Player nameAlmirón
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Squad number23Player nameMurphy
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Squad number21Player nameLivramento
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Squad number9Player nameWilson
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Squad number33Player nameBurn
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Squad number1Player nameDúbravka
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Squad number36Player nameS Longstaff
Luton Town
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Squad number6Player nameBarkley
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Squad number7Player nameOgbene
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Squad number10Player nameWoodrow
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Squad number11Player nameAdebayo
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Squad number19Player nameBrown
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Squad number16Player nameBurke
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Squad number9Player nameMorris
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Squad number17Player nameMpanzu
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Squad number28Player nameSambi Lokonga
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Squad number45Player nameDoughty
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Squad number18Player nameClark
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Squad number2Player nameOsho
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Squad number29Player nameBell
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Squad number15Player nameMengi
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Squad number24Player nameKaminski
Line-ups
Newcastle
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Dúbravka
- 2Trippier
- 5Schär
- 4Botman
- 33BurnBooked at 56minsSubstituted forLivramentoat 64′minutes
- 36S Longstaff
- 39Bruno Guimarães
- 67Miley
- 23MurphyBooked at 76mins
- 10GordonSubstituted forWilsonat 45′minutes
- 24AlmirónSubstituted forBarnesat 63′minutes
Substitutes
- 3Dummett
- 9Wilson
- 11Ritchie
- 15Barnes
- 17Krafth
- 18Karius
- 20Hall
- 21Livramento
- 40White
Luton
Formation 3-4-2-1
- 24Kaminski
- 15Mengi
- 2OshoBooked at 90mins
- 29Bell
- 7Ogbene
- 28Sambi LokongaBooked at 60mins
- 6Barkley
- 45DoughtySubstituted forBurkeat 79′minutes
- 18ClarkSubstituted forMpanzuat 68′minutes
- 9MorrisSubstituted forBrownat 79′minutes
- 11AdebayoSubstituted forWoodrowat 87′minutes
Substitutes
- 8Berry
- 10Woodrow
- 12Kaboré
- 14Chong
- 16Burke
- 17Mpanzu
- 19Brown
- 23Krul
- 30Townsend
- Referee:
- Thomas Bramall
- Attendance:
- 52,211
Live Text
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Match ends, Newcastle United 4, Luton Town 4.
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Second Half ends, Newcastle United 4, Luton Town 4.
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Sean Longstaff (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Cauley Woodrow (Luton Town).
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Attempt saved. Chiedozie Ogbene (Luton Town) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Ross Barkley.
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Attempt blocked. Jacob Brown (Luton Town) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Ross Barkley with a cross.
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Foul by Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United).
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Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu (Luton Town) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Delay in match because of an injury Jacob Brown (Luton Town).
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Lewis Miley (Newcastle United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu (Luton Town).
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Corner, Newcastle United. Conceded by Amari’i Bell.
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Attempt blocked. Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Gabriel Osho (Luton Town) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Callum Wilson (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Gabriel Osho (Luton Town).
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Foul by Callum Wilson (Newcastle United).
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Gabriel Osho (Luton Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Source
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