Newcastle 2-1 Brighton: Elliot Anderson scores later brace for Magpies

Traveling Newcastle fans in the US will not only be sweating due to excessive heat in the Northeast, but also over the status of new signing Harvey Barnes, who seemed to have injured himself in the final minutes of a 2-1 win over Brighton on Friday.

Barnes, who joined his new teammates on their pre-season tour after the completion of his £38million move last week, sat on the sidelines of Red Bull Arena in a worrying sight to Geordie fans, trying to shake off a cramp in his left leg before forward Elliot Anderson’s late brace sealed a dramatic win, right at the death for the Magpies.

The 25-year-old Barnes stayed on the pitch, nonetheless, and was able to continue until the final whistle in Harrison, New Jersey. An update on his condition has yet to be released by the club. 

Barnes, whose only England cap dates back to a 3-0 win over Wales in 2020, came on in the second-half of Newcastle’s thrilling 3-3 draw against Aston Villa last Sunday in Philadelphia, but didn’t feature in the team’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea in Atlanta on  Wednesday. 

He signed a five-year contract with the Toon Army, following his eight-figure transfer from Championship-bound Leicester City earlier this month.

Harvey Barnes went down injured in the final minutes of Friday’s 1-1 draw vs. Brighton on Friday

Barnes’ injury came right before Elliot Anderson equalized for Newcastle and the match winner

Anderson’s brace came in the last six minutes of game action at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey

Barnes, 25, signed for Newcastle United last week in a £38million move from Leicester City

Despite injury concerns over Newcastle’s new signing, fans will have plenty to rave about ahead of the start of the upcoming Premier League season in two weeks time, especially over the performance of young midfielder, Elliot Anderson. 

With the Magpies seemingly heading for their third consecutive draw in America, the 20-year-old never gave up hope to seal all three points for his team, scoring twice in the last six minutes, after Brighton opened the scoring through a tap-in from Danny Welbeck in the early stages of the second-half.

The midfielder’s first goal came in the 86th minute after a miscommunication from two Seagulls players – youngster Ed Turns and new boy Yasin Ayiri – on a sideward pass, gifting Anderson an opportunity to intercept the ball. 

He had his shot from inside the box blocked by Turns before getting back onto his feet, beating the center-back to the ball and lifting the ball past goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.

Anderson’s second goal of the night came in the final minute of stoppage time (90’+ 2), when Jacob Murphy’s through ball had enough whip on it to get past Turns, again giving Anderson a chance to pounce. 

And the young Englishman sure did, striking the ball into the back of the next after fending off Turns’ last-ditch challenge from inside the box. 

Anderson scored his second goal of the night in the last minute of added time in Harrison, NJ

Anderson, 20, has been one to watch this preseason, scoring four times and assisting thrice 

Brighton took the lead early in the second-half through a Danny Welbeck tap-in from a cross

Fans were in full voice at Red Bulls Arena, witnessing a dramatic last 10 minutes of action

Anderson’s late brace concludes Newcastle’s unbeaten pre-season tour in the US, with the Magpies drawing twice and winning once in the Premier League Summer Series in America.  

They now lead the competition, albeit having played a game more (5) than second-place Aston Villa, third-place Chelsea, fifth-place Fulham and last place Brentford.

Anderson, himself, has now three assists and four goals this pre-season for the Geordies.

The Toon Army, as well as Brighton, will now head back to England to finish their respective pre-season preparations. Newcastle take on Serie A side Fiorentina at St. James’ Park on August 5 before facing Villareal, of La Liga, just a day later.

On the other hand, Brighton, will play against Rayo Vallecano, also on the same day that the Magpies face their La Liga rivals. 

The Seagulls then open their Premier League campaign on August 12 against newly-promoted Luton Town, while Newcastle host Aston Villa at home.