Newcastle United hero Harvey Barnes is hopeful that his team's 2-1 victory over Manchester City can be the catalyst to spark the Magpies' Premier League season into life. 

Barnes was guilty of missing some glorious chances in the first half, but he was on the money in the 63rd minute with a brilliant first-time finish past Gianluigi Donnarumma's dive. 

But Newcastle's joy was short-lived when Ruben Dias found the net with the aid of a deflection five minutes later, though St James' Park was bouncing in double quick time. 

After Bruno Guimaraes' initial effort hit the crossbar, Barnes was on hand to tuck home the rebound and grab his brace, with the goal surviving a VAR check for a possible foul on Donnarumma. 

Indeed, Barnes became the first Newcastle player to score twice in a Premier League game against City since Alan Shearer in November 2003, with tonight being their 40th meeting in the competition since Shearer's brace.

He is also now Newcastle's top goalscorer in all competitions this season (six goals, excluding penalties), but Barnes was more thrilled about what the result meant for the team. 

Eddie Howe's team came into Saturday's clash off the back of back-to-back Premier League defeats, but their triumph over City moved them up to 14th place in the table. 

"It feels great. I don't think I was the most popular man at half-time," Barnes told BBC Match of the Day.

"Glad to make up for it in the second half with a couple of good goals, and it was a great win for us. Hopefully, after today's result, we can kick on and go on a good run."

The victory also continued Newcastle's impressive run at home this calendar year. 

In 2025, only City (13) have won more Premier League home games than Newcastle (11). The Magpies have now won 10 of their last 13 league games at St James' Park (L3).

"It's a special place to play your football. Our big thing has been making teams uncomfortable to play here," Barnes said of playing in front of the Newcastle supporters. 

"The last couple of results have been disappointing. The quicker we can improve that form away from home, it will be a really big boost for us."

It was also a landmark day for Newcastle boss Howe, who picked up his first-ever Premier League victory over Pep Guardiola at the 17th attempt (D2 L14). 

But his team were made to work for their triumph, having registered an expected goals (xG) total of 2.24 from their nine shots compared to City's 1.88 from their 17 shots at Nick Pope's goal, though only four of those were on target. 

"We are delighted to win today. I think the heart, endeavour and attitude of our performance today, when you compare it to Brentford, where we looked tired and flat," Howe said.

"That was a big upturn in terms of the normal way we play. That will give us a massive lift in what is a tough Premier League season this year.

"That should give us a lift for the games to come. Whatever strategy you pick, Manchester City will have chances against that.

"In the first 30 seconds, Harvey has a chance to score, and you know you are on a knife-edge like we were at times today. It is hard to keep Erling Haaland quiet for 98 minutes."

But Howe echoed the thoughts of Barnes when questioned about Newcastle's form away from home so far this season. 

Indeed, among teams in the Premier League in 2025-26, Newcastle are one of three sides, along with Wolves and Fulham, yet to win on the road in the competition. 

"To beat Man City should give us the confidence we need," Howe added on the significance of the result and how it could impact their fortunes away from Tyneside. 

"We need to try and use this result as a turning point in our season, both home and away, to get a result," Howe said.