Anthony Gordon’s controversial equalizer followed by Alexander Isak’s winner saw Newcastle come from behind to beat Tottenham 2-1 for a sixth straight win in all competitions to move level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea.
After Dominic Solanke’s fourth-minute opener, Spurs were left fuming at Gordon’s sixth-minute equalizer after the ball hit Joelinton’s hand in the build-up, but VAR allowed the goal to stand because “the hand was with him, in a natural position and the contact was accidental”.
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean agreed with the decision Football Saturday as Joelinton’s alleged handball “did not lead directly to a goal” after the rebound fell to Bruno Guimaraes before Gordon finished expertly past Spurs debutant Brandon Austin.
It meant Eddie Howe’s fifth-placed side heaped more misery on injury-ravaged Tottenham – who finished the game without a familiar centre-back – leaving Ange Postecoglou’s side without a win in their last six Premier League home games and in the bottom half of the table. in 11. leaving them closer to the relegation zone than the top four.
New England head coach Thomas Tuchel, attending his first game as Three Lions boss, would have been delighted to see two English players score the first two goals in north London as Solanke headed Spurs ahead in the fourth minute.
But just 140 seconds later Gordon controversially equalized despite a lengthy VAR review for Joelinton’s alleged handball.
A furious Postecoglou then saw his side lose momentum as Newcastle piled on the pressure, which finally showed in the 38th minute when Alexander Isak maintained his hot form with a poor close-range finish to score for a seventh straight Premier League game.
Postecoglou’s injury problems then worsened when full-back Ded Spence moved to centre-back for the second half after Radu Dragusin was substituted at half-time, taking Spurs’ absentee list into double figures.
Despite a patchy defence, Spurs managed to equalize in the second half when Brennan Johnson hit the post, while substitutes James Maddison and Sergio Reguilon both had efforts wide.
But Newcastle have maintained a perfect start to 2025 to pile more pressure on Postecoglou as both sides now face the first legs of their Carabao Cup semi-final, with Newcastle playing Arsenal on Tuesday and Tottenham hosting Liverpool on Wednesday – both live Sky Sports.
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