Harvey Barnes continued his impressive Champions League form as Newcastle United beat Benfica 3-0 on Tuesday night.
The 27-year-old scored in Newcastle United’s win over Union Saint-Gilloise in Brussels, and he was at it again at St James’ Park versus Benfica.
Harvey Barnes scored two second half goals in Newcastle’s victory against Benfica, producing an inspired cameo to hand his side three vital Champions League points.
His first goal was an outstanding finish, with Barnes’ low and powerful drive proving to be unstoppable for Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin. The former Leicester City star will have been proud of his finish, but he was not the one getting the adulation of the Toon Army after finding the back of the net.
Malick Thiaw runs to celebrate with Nick Pope after the latter created Newcastle United's second goal against Benfica in the Champions League.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Newcastle United fans chanted for Nick Pope rather than Harvey Barnes after second goal vs Benfica
Incredibly, Barnes’ first goal against Benfica was created by Nick Pope.
The Toon goalkeeper hurled the ball more than half the length of the pitch into Barnes’ path, allowing the Magpies’ number 11 to burst into the box and double his side’s lead.
It was a ridiculous assist from Nick Pope, throwing the ball as if he was a quarterback in the NFL.
As Barnes celebrated his strike, Toon defenders Sven Botman, Dan Burn and Malick Thiaw all ran to jump on Pope and marvel at what he had just done.
MORE NEWCASTLE STORIES
Newcastle United supporters did the same, chanting ‘Nick Pope, in the middle of our goal, Nick Pope’ as play resumed. That was the first song from the Toon Army after the goal, with Pope feeling the love from the fans rather than Barnes. That speaks volumes about how impressive his throw was.
Barnes then did get his moment straight after, with Newcastle United fans chanting ‘Barnes will tear you apart again’ to the tune of Love Will Tear Us Apart by Joy Division.
As well as that outrageous assist, Pope also made a couple of smart saves against Benfica. He dealt with everything that was thrown at him, as he kept his seventh clean sheet of the season in all competitions.
However, one aspect of Pope’s game that always lets him down is his kicking. That was certainly on display on Wednesday night, with some Toon fans growing increasingly frustrated with Pope’s wayward passing.
In the end, it was more effective for him to release the ball with his hands, as he proved when setting up Barnes.
The 33-year-old reverted to type straight after his assist. The first time Pope got the ball after creating Newcastle’s second goal, he launched it into touch for a Benfica throw-in.
Supporters inside St James’ Park could only laugh at what they had just witnessed.