Tottenham captain Cristian Romero produced two decisive contributions at St. James’ Park, helping his side avoid another damaging defeat. With Spurs under pressure after a poor run of results, the defender marked his return from suspension with a performance that transformed the visitors’ fortunes.
Frank made four alterations to the side that suffered an early collapse against Fulham, bringing back Romero, Pape Matar Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Brennan Johnson. The added intensity was clear, and Spurs looked far more composed with their captain restored to the back line.
Although Tottenham had struggled recently even with Romero involved, his influence in this match was undeniable. Remarkably, the center-back ended up responsible for the away side’s only efforts on target—and he converted both, keeping his team competitive throughout.
The visitors’ determination, epitomized by their skipper, was welcomed by the travelling fans, who applauded their team with chants at the final whistle. Frank will now hope this renewed spirit carries over into their next fixture, when Spurs host his former club Brentford.
Late drama keeps Spurs above Newcastle
Newcastle had appeared set to secure a third consecutive Premier League victory, especially after Anthony Gordon came off the bench to score from the spot late on. The penalty was awarded after VAR advised referee Tom Bramall to reassess an incident in which Bentancur was deemed to have pulled down Dan Burn.
That goal restored the home side’s advantage shortly after Romero had struck his first equalizer. Having responded quickly, Eddie Howe’s team looked on course for a result that could have given them much-needed momentum in the league.
However, Spurs refused to fold. Deep into stoppage time, Newcastle failed to clear a corner, and Romero reacted instantly, acrobatically striking the loose ball into the net. The away end erupted as Tottenham claimed a dramatic point that keeps them narrowly ahead of Newcastle in the table.
Frank’s men now aim to build on this fighting display as they seek more consistency in the upcoming fixtures.
Newcastle haunted by familiar finish
This match added to a frustrating pattern for Newcastle, who have now conceded late goals against three traditional rivals this season. Having previously been denied by Liverpool and Arsenal at the death, they again surrendered points in stoppage time.
The hosts had shown resilience by responding quickly after Romero’s first leveler, seizing back the lead and pushing for a third consecutive win for the first time since April. For long spells, it looked like a moment that could have sparked a sustained upturn.
Instead, their inability to manage the final stages allowed Tottenham back into the contest. The decisive corner was not dealt with, and Romero had the freedom to set himself for his overhead strike, which found its way past several defenders before bouncing into the goal.
Howe will be disappointed with the late lapse, which cost his side what could have been a significant victory.
