In a match pulsating with late drama, Tottenham captain Cristian Romero became the undeniable hero, scoring a sensational 95th-minute overhead kick to secure a vital 2-2 draw against Newcastle United. The Argentine defender delivered a true captain’s performance at St James’ Park on Tuesday, twice pulling his side level in a fiery Premier League encounter. For a Spurs side looking to halt a poor run of form, this was a point earned through sheer grit and a moment of individual brilliance.
A Tense Encounter at St James’ Park
The first half offered little sign of the chaos to come. Both teams, sitting in the bottom half of the table, struggled to find their rhythm. Newcastle, spurred on by the home crowd, started brighter and controlled much of the early possession. Their pressure almost paid off when Joelinton’s sharp strike from a narrow angle cannoned back off the far post, a huge let-off for Spurs.
Tottenham, meanwhile, found it difficult to gain a foothold in the match. They failed to register a single shot on target before the break, a statistic that highlighted their frustrations in attack. However, a late first-half chance, where a Mohammed Kudus cross was cleverly back-heeled just over the bar by Lucas Bergvall, provided a glimmer of hope and something to build on for the second period.
Second-Half Explosion of Goals
The game completely transformed after the interval, exploding into life in the final 20 minutes.
Newcastle Strike First
It was Newcastle who finally broke the deadlock. In the 71st minute, half-time substitute Bruno Guimarães found space on the edge of the area. He expertly curled a right-footed shot into the far corner, leaving Guglielmo Vicario with no chance. The goal was a reward for Newcastle’s sustained pressure and seemed to put them on course for a crucial victory.
Romero’s Swift Response
Tottenham, however, did not let their heads drop. They responded just seven minutes later with their first shot on target of the match. Mohammed Kudus found space on the right and delivered a superb low cross into the box. Fittingly, it was the captain, Romero, who met it with a powerful diving header that nestled into the bottom corner.
Late Drama and a Moment of Magic
The final minutes of the match were a whirlwind of controversy and breathtaking skill.
A Contentious Penalty
Just as Spurs seemed to have clawed their way back, disaster struck. In the 84th minute, a wrestling match in the Tottenham box between Rodrigo Bentancur and Dan Burn during a corner led to a VAR review. After checking the pitchside monitor, the referee awarded a penalty to the home side. Anthony Gordon stepped up and clinically converted the spot-kick in the 86th minute, restoring Newcastle’s lead.
An Unforgettable Equaliser
With the clock ticking deep into stoppage time, it seemed Tottenham were heading for a painful defeat. But Cristian Romero had other ideas. Following a Pedro Porro corner in the 95th minute, the ball was punched away by goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale into a chaotic penalty area. Romero, with his back to the goal, reacted instinctively. He launched himself into the air and executed a spectacular overhead kick. While not the cleanest connection, the ball bobbled through a crowd of players and into the back of the net, silencing the home crowd and sparking wild celebrations from the Spurs players and staff. Manager Thomas Frank later praised the team’s “fantastic mentality and character.”
“It was a beautiful goal,” Romero said afterwards, adding with a smile, “But every day with the national team, I watch Leo Messi.”
A Hard-Fought Point for Spurs
Ultimately, the 2-2 draw felt like a moral victory for Tottenham, thanks entirely to their captain’s heroics. Coming from behind twice, especially with a stunning goal in the final seconds, showcases a resilience that the team can build on. While the performance had flaws, the character shown to snatch a point from the jaws of defeat could be a significant turning point in their season. For Newcastle, it will feel like two points dropped in the most heartbreaking fashion.
