One Newcastle United star earned comparisons to Harry Kane from Steve Sidwell in the galvanising victory over Benfica in the Champions League.
Newcastle United got back to winning ways in emphatic fashion as they put Benfica to the sword 3-0 in their third Champions League outing on Tuesday.
It’s the first time Newcastle have won two in a row in Europe’s top competition for over two decades and Eddie Howe’s side put in a thrilling performance.
The first half was closer than it should have been, with Nick Pope getting called into action but star of the show, Anthony Gordon, scored the opener at the back post on the half-hour mark.
Newcastle came out firing after the break and dominated the play. There was a concern they wouldn’t take advantage of their chances, but Harvey Barnes dispelled those fears with two goals from the bench.
Gordon earned plaudits from Jose Mourinho at full-time and was named the Player of the Match, but Barnes was compared to Harry Kane for one of his finishes.
Harvey Barnes celebrates a goal by making a bow and arrow gesture.
Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Harvey Barnes earns Harry Kane comparisons with goal vs Benfica
Newcastle’s second goal was special. Not one you see every day.
After keeping Benfica’s Dodi Lukebakio at bay with some fine saves, Pope turned creator as his gigantic 60-yard throw played Barnes through on goal to go on and score.
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The forward still had a lot of work to do, though, as he had to approach the box from the right and was left with a tight angle when he got there, yet still found the far side netting.
It was a brilliantly taken finish that reminded Steve Sidwell of England captain Kane.
He said on Sky Sports News: “Barnes is still defending in his own box. All of a sudden, he is on his bike. He has gone down the right wing.
“Pope gets the ball, can’t really kick it, throws it, it’s the longest throw I’ve ever seen, it’s Peter Schmeichel-esque.
“The defender comes across, misses the ball. Barnes gets it, drives down the right, the angle is so tight.
“It’s such a crisp finish, like a Harry Kane, just glides across the grass, hits the back of the post into the side netting.”
Though Erling Haaland is running him close, Kane is the best striker, perhaps even the best player, in the world at present.
The Bayern Munich hitman already has a simply remarkable 22 goals in just 16 games this season, as well as three for England. So for Barnes to be compared to him is lofty praise.
How Steve Sidwell rated Newcastle’s other goals vs Benfica
All of Newcastle’s three goals against Benfica were brilliant, with Howe left delighted that his forwards looked full of confidence again.
Here is what Sidwell thought of the two other strikes.
Gordon’s goal: “They work it really well. Guimaraes gets on the ball, he gets on the half turn, he finds Murphy, who is always wanting to get in behind. He’s got pace to burn.
“He gets in behind and then it’s about the quality of the pass. Can he just square it across the six-yard box to Gordon? He can and it’s an easy tap-in. Gordon just gets off the back of Otamendi and he taps it in. They work it really well.”
Barnes’ second goal: “Best goal of the night. Best passage of play of the night.
“It’s on the left-hand side where, listen, when Gordon’s on form like this he is just electric. He sets the tone for Newcastle.
“A ball comes into him, he plays it around the corner to Woltemade, he does a little back flick, very similar to his goal against Brighton, back into the path of Gordon.
“He drives about 10 yards and fizzes a little pass into Barnes, who just calmly waits for the goalkeeper to come out, slides it underneath him.
“The pace of that counterattack was absolutely devastating. Tore Benfica to pieces.”
Newcastle need to keep their attacking intent up when they face Fulham on Saturday.