Newcastle 2-1 Tottenham: What Were The Key Talking Points As The Magpies Extend On Their Bright Start At St. James’ Park?

While Newcastle might have had to overcome substantial pressure on Sunday afternoon, the Magpies snatched a late 2-1 victory against Tottenham at St. James’ Park.

In what always promised to be an action-packed affair this weekend, Eddie Howe’s side took the lead in the 37th-minute as Harvey Barnes produced a wonderful side-footed finish.

However, although Newcastle might have entered the half-time break with a narrow advantage, it was all Tottenham following the interval and Spurs grabbed a deserved equaliser in the 56th-minute as Dan Burn turned into his own net.

While it might have been wave after wave of Spurs pressure following their equaliser, Nick Pope denied both James Maddison and Brennan Johnson.

Despite struggling to get out of their own half for large spells, Newcastle snatched a dramatic late winner with just 12 minutes left on the clock as attacking talisman Alexander Isak tapped home following a quick counter attack.

On an afternoon when Newcastle extended on their 100% start to the new campaign, we have taken a look at the key talking points.

Newcastle extend on their bright start

Suffering real heartbreak last season as they eventually missed out on a European ticket following Manchester United’s shock FA Cup success, there has been plenty of speculation over Howe’s long-term future at St. James’ Park.

However, although the Magpies might have largely struggled to hit top gear with much fluidity since opening up the 2024/25 campaign, Sunday’s hosts have collected seven points from their opening three Premier League appearances.

With many around the North East dreaming of the chance to mount a genuine top-six charge this season, Howe has certainly eased plenty of the pressure on his shoulders.

Extending on their EFL Cup adventure earlier in the week as they edged past Nottingham Forest following a nail-biting penalties victory at the City Ground, Newcastle will take plenty of positives away from another gritty display here.

Yet to taste a single defeat across any competition since opening up the new campaign, Newcastle will be next seen on September 15th when they travel to Wolves following the fortnight break.

Tottenham’s issues on the road continue to haunt them

While Tottenham might have gained plenty of plaudits from across the Premier League following Ange Postecoglou’s maiden season in charge, Spurs did miss out on booking a top-four finish.

With the former Celtic boss making his ambitions abundantly clear, Sunday’s guests are showing some of the same struggles that haunted them prior to the summer interval.

Opening proceedings with a sluggish 1-1 stalemate away at Premier League returners Leicester on August 19th, Spurs have continued to gain an unwanted reputation for their issues away from north London.

Left frustrated here as they eventually left St. James’ Park empty handed, Postecoglou’s side have now remarkably won just one of their previous eight Premier League showdowns on the road – a run that stems all the way back to March 10th.

Likewise, heading into September’s international break seeking a much-needed boost, Spurs have also failed to secure back-to-back victories on their travels over the past 11 months.

Isak opens his account at St. James’

While Newcastle might have been working within some incredibly tight financial restrictions this summer, the Magpies had made it abundantly clear that they would not be cashing in on their attacking talisman before the window slammed shut on Friday night.

If Howe’s side are to secure another famous Champions League return this season, then there is no doubt that Isak will have a leading role to play once again at St. James’ Park.

Although Manchester City record-breaker Erling Haaland might have claimed yet another Premier League Golden Boot last season, the Swedish international has only further underlined his status as one of Europe’s ultimate marksmen.

Tapping home from close range here and opening his Premier League with what could prove to be a crucial winner, Isak has only continued to shine since arrival in the North East back in the summer of 2022.

Recording 21 top-flight goals last season and quickly becoming one of the poster boys at St. James’, Newcastle fans would have been hugely relived to see their striking superstar stay put for another campaign.

Match Report

Newcastle: Pope, Livramento, Krafth, Burn, Kelly, Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Barnes, Gordon, Isak

Subs: Hall, Tonali, Almiron, Murphy

Tottenham: Vicario, Porro, Dragusin, Romero, Udogie, Bissouma, Sarr, Maddison, Odobert, Kulusevski, Son

Subs: Bentancur, Johnson, Werner, Bergvall

Goals: Newcastle: Barnes (37’), Isak (78’) – Tottenham: Burn (56’ OG)

Yellow Cards: Newcastle: Kelly, Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton – Tottenham: Maddison, Bissouma, Sarr, Bentancur

Red Cards: N/A

Referee: Robert Jones