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Newcastle United maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a dramatic victory over Tottenham Hotspur at a vibrant St James’ Park. The hosts took the lead in the 37th minute when Harvey Barnes expertly finished from a Lloyd Kelly cross, giving Newcastle an early advantage in what would become a thrilling encounter.
Tottenham fought back in the second half, equalizing in the 56th minute when Brennan Johnson’s shot was deflected into the net by Newcastle’s Dan Burn. Spurs continued to apply pressure, with Nick Pope forced to make several key saves, including tipping over a curling effort from James Maddison.
However, it was Newcastle who had the final say. With just 12 minutes left, Joelinton initiated a counter-attack, setting up substitute Jacob Murphy, who then crossed low for Alexander Isak to secure the winner.
The match also marked a significant moment for Sandro Tonali, who made his first Premier League appearance since serving a 10-month ban for breaching betting regulations. The Italian midfielder received a standing ovation from the Newcastle faithful when he came on as a second-half substitute, a testament to his quick integration into the team.
Newcastle’s win lifted them to fifth place in the Premier League standings, just two points behind leaders Manchester City and Liverpool. Eddie Howe acknowledged the need for improvement despite the win, stating, “We’re finding a way to win, but in the long term, we need to improve our performances.”
For Tottenham, the loss was their first of the season, leaving them in 10th place. Despite dominating possession and creating more chances, Spurs were unable to capitalize, much to the frustration of manager Ange Postecoglou. “We needed to kill the game off, and we didn’t,” Postecoglou remarked, reflecting on missed opportunities.
The match also featured an emotional return for Tonali, whose presence on the field was met with overwhelming support from the Newcastle fans. The Gallowgate End was adorned with flags and banners in his honor, highlighting the strong bond between the player and the supporters. Howe praised the fans’ gesture, describing it as “a brilliant surprise” and emphasizing the importance of the relationship between the players and the supporters.
