“Romero’s late double rescues point for Spurs in 2-2 draw at St James’ Park”
Newcastle and Tottenham played out a dramatic 2–2 draw in the Premier League at St. James’ Park, a match that swung wildly in the final 20 minutes. Newcastle looked set for a big home win after Bruno Guimarães curled in a brilliant opener and Anthony Gordon converted an 86th-minute penalty, but Spurs refused to fold. Cristian Romero dragged them level twice, first with a powerful header in the 78th minute, and then with an outrageous overhead kick deep into stoppage time that stunned the home crowd. Newcastle controlled large spells and created the better chances, yet Tottenham’s late fightback ensured the points were shared in a chaotic, high-emotion finish.
Match Summary :
71’ — Newcastle 1–0 Spurs: Bruno Guimarães curls a superb low strike into the bottom corner to give Newcastle the lead.
78’— Newcastle 1–1 Spurs: Cristian Romero rises highest and powers in a header from Mohammed Kudus’ delivery.
86’ — Newcastle 2–1 Spurs: Anthony Gordon converts the penalty with confidence.
90 ‘+5 — Newcastle 2–2 Spurs: Cristian Romero produces a dramatic overhead kick from a corner, sneaking it through a crowded area to rescue a point.
Full-time: Newcastle dominate large spells, but Tottenham snatch a late draw at last.
Tactical tussles:
Newcastle set the tone with aggressive pressing and quick vertical play, using their midfield control to pin Spurs back for long stretches. Their full-backs pushed high, allowing Gordon and Barnes to attack Spurs’ wing-backs and create steady pressure. Tottenham struggled to build through midfield and relied heavily on set pieces and moments of quality, which is how Romero’s first goal came. After falling behind again, Spurs shifted to a more direct, attacking shape and committed extra bodies forward. Newcastle dropped too deep late on, inviting pressure, which allowed Spurs to snatch the late equaliser.
X-factors :
- Cristian Romero – Scored twice, dragged Spurs back into the match.
- Bruno Guimarães – Controlled midfield and scored a brilliant opener.
- Anthony Gordon – Threatening throughout and converted his pressure penalty.
- Mohammed Kudus – Delivered the cross for Romero’s first goal.
Managers reaction
Eddie Howe (Newcastle): “We were the better team … we did enough but needed to defend the corner better.”
Eddie Howe also said of Bruno Guimarães: “He did very well, it was an outstanding finish.”
Thomas Frank (Tottenham): “The mentality in the group and the character in the team , incredible today … dealing with two setbacks and coming back twice, that’s exceptionally good.”
Match stats:
| Stat | Newcastle | Tottenham |
| Possession | 52% | 48% |
| Shots | 17 | 8 |
| Shots on Target | 5 | 2 |
| Corners | 11 | 8 |
What it means:
Newcastle’s draw feels like two points dropped, keeping them stuck just outside the European spots instead of gaining ground. For Tottenham, Romero’s late heroics ease pressure on Thomas Frank and keep Spurs within reach of the top-four race. The result tightens the mid-table battle, with both teams needing consistency.
Conclusion :
Newcastle will regret letting a controlled match slip away, while Spurs will celebrate their resilience. The draw raises a key question: can Newcastle manage game endings better, and can Tottenham rely on moments like Romero’s heroics, or must their attack start delivering consistently?
