Newcastle United and Leeds United delivered an instant classic for the 2025-26 Premier League season in one of the most dramatic matches played this campaign, with Harvey Barnes snatching a 4-3 victory
in the 102nd minute at St James’ Park, the latest game-winning goal in league history.
The night began with a show of support for club legend Kevin Keegan, recently diagnosed with cancer, and ended with the home crowd going bananas after a seven-goal thriller leaking deep into injury time.
Leeds struck first in the 32nd minute when Brenden Aaronson finished off a move created by a Malick Thiaw error in a nightmarish night for the Magpies’ defender.
Newcastle responded just four minutes later, with Barnes slotting in after good work from Anthony Gordon and Nick Woltemade.
Thiaw’s night quickly worsened, conceding a penalty under pressure from Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The striker converted, putting Leeds 2-1 up at the break.
Newcastle had their own penalty shout denied before the interval, with Joelinton booked for simulation.
The home side found an equaliser nine minutes into the second half. Lewis Miley kept the ball in play, Bruno Guimaraes picked out Joelinton, and the Brazilian headed in.
But Leeds, because of course, went ahead again through Aaronson’s second, because why not, forcing Newcastle to chase the game for a third time in a never-ending come-from-behind effort by the Geordies.
Fabian Schar’s concerning injury, sending him straight to the hospital, forced a lengthy stoppage and defensive reshuffle, with Miley dropping to centre-back for the first time this season.
As the clock ticked past 90 minutes, Leeds looked to have secured the points. But Aaronson handled a Lewis Hall cross, giving Newcastle a lifeline.
Guimaraes converted the penalty in the 91st minute. Then, with almost the last kick of the game, Barnes fired home a loose ball in the box to complete a famous turnaround that will leave forever—hey, at least until someone breaks it by scoring in the 103rd minute somehow, some day—in the EPL history books.
“It wasn’t a perfect performance, there’s stuff to improve but the mentality is the key thing,” Eddie Howe said after the game. “If you are losing, you need that ‘never say die’ attitude. I’m delighted for Harvey to score the winning goal, a great moment for him.”
The win marks Newcastle’s third in a row and their first comeback victory from a losing position in the league since February. It extends their unbeaten home run to 12 matches across all competitions.
Newcastle now sit sixth in the table, one point off fifth-place Brentford and two off Liverpool in fourth, and they will return to action against Bournemouth at home in the FA Cup third round on Saturday, Jan. 10.
