In a remarkable match at St James’ Park, Luton prevailed 4–4 after staving off a late comeback by Newcastle.
Eddie Howe’s team was taken aback when the visitors twice neutralised goals from Sean Longstaff through Gabriel Osho and Ross Barkley in the first half. In the second half, they went ahead 4-2 thanks to goals from Elijah Adebayo and Carlton Morris.
However, Newcastle equalised through substitute Harvey Barnes, making his first appearance since September, after Kieran Trippier had scored their third goal from a lovely cross from Bruno Guimaraes.
The hosts pushed forward in the final minutes in an attempt to find a winner, and Jacob Murphy missed a good opportunity after another Guimaraes cross, but their fierce rivals—4-0 winners over Brighton on Tuesday—kept up their own threat as the game stayed competitive until the very end.
The outcome guarantees that Newcastle will miss the opportunity to close the gap on the top six and brings their defensive issues into stark relief once again. Meanwhile, Luton, in 16th place, gains another crucial point that increases their chances of surviving.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said after the game: “It was a strange game really. So much to look back on and reflect on. We are disappointed to have not grown stronger in the game. Credit to Luton on how they got back into the game. And then we had to do that as well.
“The first goal is a set play and another is a penalty. We made some poor decisions defensively. When we went 1-0 up and 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. We scored some great goals and could have won it.”
Meanwhile Luton boss Rob Edwards said: “It is very mixed. I am very proud and pleased with the performance. We were brave.
“They came back quickly and the way we stayed composed and didn’t go under was pleasing. That could have happened in this cauldron of an atmosphere. We even had a chance to win it at the end. It was an even game, and a great game.”
On their style of play, he added: “I have said to the players, this is the best way for us to get results. The players have really bought in.
“We have been this way before, but it suits who we are and what we are. It suits the whole football club to be honest. It gives us more threat and upsets the flow of the opposition.”
He added: “I think when you look at their goals there were some things we could have done. You just need to see certain moments out. Some of the actions for their goals we could have done better on.
“They will be thinking the same as well. There are always areas to improve. We are human beings and we make mistakes and we will always make mistakes.”
Luton captain Carlton Morris said: “We are a little bit disappointed to be 4-2 up and come away with a point. We showed a lot of character to stay in the game. It isn’t an easy place to come and when they have their tails up, they are deadly.
“It can be tough at times but there is a lot of quality in this league. It is clear that we have evolved a lot from the start of the season to now and we are showing that pedigree. Hopefully we can score four goals every week.
“We want to be a fun team to watch as well. We do want to be exciting and play flowing football. That’s what we are doing. We are learning and getting better every week. We continue to build so it’s great.”
Newcastle travel to Nottingham Forest next Saturday while Luton host Sheffield United on the same day.
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