Romero brace earns reprieve for Frank as Spurs battle to draw at Newcastle

Cristian Romero celebrates
Cristian Romero celebrates Richard Lee/Tottenham Hotspur FC / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia

Four goals were scored in the final 20 minutes as Newcastle were held to a 2-2 draw by Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League (PL), the Magpies’ first stalemate in 15 competitive matches.

Key stats

- Newcastle United have lost 11 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season; no team has lost more.

- Tottenham Hotspur have scored in 12 of their 14 games; no team has done so more often in the Premier League this season.

- Mohammed Kudus has assisted 5 goals in the Premier League this season (1 in this game), no player has more.

Highlights

Analysis

Player ratings
Player ratingsFlashscore

Cristian Romero earned the highest player rating after his two goals rescued Spurs with a point at St James' Park.

Momentum
MomentumOpta by StatsPerform

Spurs managed to snatch a result despite being under heavy Newcastle pressure for much of the match.

Match report

Newcastle brushed off a disappointing UEFA Champions League (UCL) defeat to Marseille with an emphatic 4-1 win at Everton at the weekend, and started this match in that same vein.

There was lively play from the likes of Lewis Hall and Harvey Barnes, and Lewis Miley registered the hosts’ first shot on target after receiving it on the edge of the area, but he couldn’t place it either side of Guglielmo Vicario.

The home team only grew stronger as the half went on, and they were just inches away from the opener when Joelinton broke through and dragged his shot onto the far post from a tight angle. 

Match stats
Match statsOpta by Stats Perform

Spurs responded well though, and were just as close to going ahead themselves as Lucas Bergvall’s inventive backheel from Mohammed Kudus’ cross brushed the top of the crossbar on its way over.

That was about it for the first half, but Eddie Howe’s side flew out of the blocks after half-time and went their closest yet. Barnes burst through and forced a strong save out of Vicario, but Kevin Danso’s clearance on the line to keep out Nick Woltemade’s subsequent header was even more crucial.

Newcastle were by far the better team and kept plugging away, finally getting their reward when Bruno Guimaraes pounced on a loose clearance, opened up his body and brilliantly placed into the bottom corner with 20 minutes to go.

They remained on the front foot, but were left stunned when their opponents eked out an equaliser seven minutes later with their first shot on target, as skipper Cristian Romero dived in front of Dan Burn to meet Kudus’ cross, finding the net with a thumping header.

But the late drama wasn’t over. There were questions over whether Rodrigo Bentancur’s hold on Burn was enough for a penalty, but VAR deemed it so, and Anthony Gordon stepped up to smash into the top corner – his first goal in the PL this season.

Then, deep into stoppage time, Romero audaciously produced an overhead kick after a corner was only half-cleared and saw it bounce past Aaron Ramsdale to earn Spurs an unlikely point.

They are still winless in five, but will be pleased with their perseverance. Meanwhile, Newcastle see a six-match winning home run evaporate at the final moment.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Cristian Romero (Tottenham Hotspur)

Post-match comments

Spurs defender Romero told Sky Sports:

"The first goal was very important.

"In the last three or four games, the team weren't good enough. It has been a difficult time, but especially in this game, I love the mentality.

"Every day with Leo Messi in the national team, I watch him, and it's a beautiful goal."

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