Newcastle United reached the Carabao Cup third round as substitute Harvey Barnes scored twice to earn a 3-2 victory against West Bromwich Albion at St James' Park on Wednesday.
Barnes swept home the winning goal from an Amar Dedic cross with eight minutes remaining after Championship side West Brom had twice threatened an upset.
The Carabao Cup, officially known as the EFL Cup, is England's secondary domestic knockout competition for professional football clubs. For Newcastle, success in the tournament has previously provided momentum for top-four Premier League finishes, having reached the final in both 2023 and 2025 under former head coach Eddie Howe.
Buoyancy at St James' Park was high before kick-off following the pre-match parade of new £50 million signing Nico Gonzalez. The former Manchester City midfielder, who had officially been a Newcastle player for only 30 seconds when introduced, was greeted by a spontaneous chant of "Nico, Nico, Nico" from the Gallowgate End as Newcastle fielded a team-sheet valued at £365 million.
Newcastle started brightly, with midfielder Joe Willock twice going close to scoring inside the opening seven minutes. Willock had scored within 60 seconds of coming off the bench in Sunday's 2-2 Premier League draw against Liverpool, and Newcastle appeared set for a routine evening.
West Brom Take Surprising Opener
However, West Bromwich Albion, managed by James Morrison, began attacking with direct pace and took a deserved lead in the 19th minute. Midfielder Isaac Price stepped up to a 25-yard free-kick and spotted goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen standing in the middle of his goal in anticipation of a far-post cross.
Jaouen had set only a two-man wall to protect his net. Price calculated his attempt precisely, bending a low shot around the under-staffed blockade and into the bottom corner.
The goal brought an edginess to the home crowd until Newcastle equalized in the 38th minute. Man-of-the-match Amar Dedic provided the delivery for Ivorian winger Baz Toure, who finished from close range to restore parity before half-time.
Barnes Strikes After Half-Time Switch
Unsatisfied with the first-half display, Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle introduced Barnes at the interval. The winger quickly repaid his manager's faith, following up his own blocked shot to smash the ball in at the Gallowgate End to put Newcastle 2-1 ahead.
The goal sparked animated celebrations from Jaissle, mirroring his passionate reactions during Sunday's 2-2 draw with Liverpool. Just after the hour mark, Jaissle introduced Yoane Wissa, Lewis Miley and Anthony Elanga off the bench to help protect the lead.
Late Drama Secures Progression
Despite the arrivals, Newcastle failed to secure their lead against West Brom's direct attack. In the 76th minute, the visiting Championship side broke through to win a penalty, which Price converted to score his second goal of the night and make it 2-2.
With a penalty shootout looming, Newcastle found the decisive response six minutes later. Dedic advanced down the flank and delivered a cross for Barnes, who swept the ball home in the 82nd minute to secure the 3-2 victory.
Jaissle took over at Newcastle as successor to Howe, inheriting a squad with young talent that requires mid-field organization and defensive resistance. Newcastle now turn their attention to upcoming Premier League fixtures against Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.
