'We are' - Harvey Barnes sends warning to Newcastle United's Champions League rivals after Leicester City win
Harvey Barnes scored against former club Leicester City to help Newcastle United to a win 3-0.
Harvey Barnes has sent a warning to Newcastle United’s Champions League qualification rivals after beating Leicester City 3-0 at the King Power Stadium.
The 27-year-old scored on his return to his former club by adding a third in the 34th minute. His strike came after a brace from Jacob Murphy put the Magpies 2-0 up inside the opening 11 minutes.
Murphy opened the scoring just two minutes in when he directed Tino Livramento’s low cross home before pouncing on Fabian Schar’s halfway shot that cannoned off the crossbar. Barnes then found the net when he tapped home the loose ball from Joelinton’s effort that was saved by Mads Hermansen.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Barnes said: "The early game gave the team a boost but the team will look back and we weren't at our fluid best tonight.”
The win sees the Magpies move back up to fifth in the Premier League table inside the Champions League qualification places. Eddie Howe’s side are level on points with fourth place Chelsea, one point ahead of sixth place Manchester City and two above seventh place Aston Villa.
Harvey Barnes sends warning to Newcastle United’s Champions League qualification rivals
And Barnes has warned United’s rivals that they are feeling confident heading into every game.
"We are going into games at the minute feeling confident we are going to win,” said Barnes. “That is the mindset we need for the rest of the season. We have a lot to play for and need to keep this run going.
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"We know we are in a good position in the table. All we can do is our job and win our games and we will finish in the top four or five. If we win the games the teams will be chasing us and not us chasing them.
“That was one of our main aims this season to win silverware which we have done. We made it clear after that we need to reset. There is a lot to play for and we have started that period really well with two wins. We don't want the season now to finish on a downer. We are fully focused."