In a nail-biting encounter at St James’ Park, Cristian Romero scored an incredible overhead kick in the dying moments of the match, salvaging a 2-2 draw for Tottenham Hotspur against Newcastle United. After the 117th minute, Romero’s late equalizer highlighted the extreme technical ability that propelled him onto this stage. It lifted the unrelenting burden on Spurs’ manager Thomas Frank.
Newcastle opened the scoring with a sensational long-range strike from Bruno Guimaraes in the 71st minute. He took his chance well with a Tottenham error-strewn defensive display. The home side was well on its way to a first-half rout. They created all kinds of opportunities and didn’t finish. After a lengthy VAR check, Anthony Gordon converted a controversial Newcastle penalty in the 86th minute. This goal appeared to lock up a win for the Magpies.
Tottenham showed great character. Romero proved to be the difference maker with a wonderful strike, after first cancelling out Guimaraes’ opener with his own equalizer. The game played out in such a way that showcased both teams’ strengths and weaknesses.
Newcastle’s Strong Start Falters
Newcastle came out strong, controlling the game and making multiple chances to find the net. The pressure was evident, too, in their players. They struggled in the first 25 at times but Tottenham were trying to get their flow going. Though dominant, Newcastle did not find a way through until Guimaraes opened the scoring.
It was a brilliant goal,” said Newcastle manager Eddie Howe of Bruno’s goal’s terrific volley. He was a difference-maker. His energy and enthusiasm and passion really always jump out at us.
Despite their clear dominance, Newcastle’s failure to score on their early chances would later come back to haunt them. Howe came away with high marks for his team. He continued, “I don’t think that was an example of us at our best today, but we fought ourselves into a place we wanted to be with a couple minutes left—unfortunately, just couldn’t defend that corner kick late.”
Tottenham’s Late Heroics
Cristian Romero would become Tottenham’s hero with his spectacular overhead kick in injury time. The goal, which has since been dubbed a “shinaldo” for its breathtaking execution, left soccer fans in awe. It completely changed the tide of the game. Earlier in the match, Romero had equalized Guimaraes’ opener. He demonstrated his astute reading of the game in defence and his contribution going forward.
The big thing is that the defender doesn’t focus on the ball whatsoever, he’s only focusing on Dan. “It’s probably the right call,” Howe added, referring to Newcastle’s missed opportunity to defend against Romero’s spectacular effort.
Romero said he was very proud of his team for their grit. “It’s very important. In the last three or four games, the team knows it’s not been good enough. Today, the mentality to play like this altogether—it’s a difficult time, but especially in this game, I love the mentality,” he stated.
Pressure Eases on Thomas Frank
That result gave relief to the travelling Tottenham manager Thomas Frank. He had been under increasing pressure for the lack of a coherent plan behind the team’s erratic play in recent weeks. If the match illustrated much of the disarray that has plagued Tottenham Hotspur throughout the year, it revealed their capability for positive momentum, resilience and fight.
Jamie Redknapp said, “Spurs showed great spirit, it just hasn’t been going for them. No question this sentiment echoed all around the Tottenham camp as they celebrated their late game-tying effort.
Howe himself acknowledged that his side’s display was not up to scratch in their loss to Spurs. Second one, we failed to defend the first touch then failed to defend the back stick overhead kick. Somehow it went in. It’s a hard one for us to swallow. A profound sense of disappointment after working so hard,” he grieved.
The crackling and frankly intimidating atmosphere at St James’ Park proved too much for Tottenham to handle. They clawed away with an important point that may prove invaluable in this challenging stretch.
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