Tottenham captain Cristian Romero delivered an unforgettable rescue act at St James’ Park, scoring twice — including a stoppage-time overhead kick — to snatch a 2–2 draw after Newcastle had taken control through Bruno Guimarães’ clinical opener.
The point does not end Spurs’ winless run, now stretching to five league games, but it does provide Thomas Frank and his players with desperately needed relief after staring down a fourth straight defeat in all competitions.
Newcastle, meanwhile, were left frustrated after twice leading and twice surrendering those advantages in a frenetic, emotionally charged match in the north-east.
Eddie Howe’s team flew out of the blocks, dominating territory and pressing Tottenham into repeated mistakes during the opening phase. Spurs struggled to keep possession and were pinned into their half for long stretches, surviving a string of half-chances from the hosts.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 71st minute.
Anthony Gordon whipped in a dangerous cross, which took a slight flick off a Spurs defender before dropping invitingly for Bruno Guimarães. The Brazilian midfielder, only introduced from the bench minutes earlier, lashed a superb first-time finish into the far corner, sending St James’ Park into full eruption. Newcastle deserved the lead, having controlled the pace and rhythm for much of the night.
Thomas Frank responded by rolling the dice with a triple substitution — introducing Mathys Tel, Richarlison, and Xavi Simons — and the change brought instant impact. Just seven minutes after Guimarães’ opener, Spurs stunned the home crowd.
Mohammed Kudus delivered a brilliant cross from the right, and Cristian Romero hurled himself forward to meet it, directing a brave diving header past Aaron Ramsdale to equalise.
The goal flipped the momentum, and for the first time in the match Spurs looked energised and threatening.
The closing stages turned chaotic.
From a Newcastle corner, Rodrigo Bentancur tangled with Dan Burn in the box. The on-field call of play-on was overturned after a lengthy VAR check, infuriating Spurs’ players and coaching staff.
Anthony Gordon stepped up and calmly rolled the penalty into the bottom corner in the 86th minute, restoring Newcastle’s advantage and appearing to condemn Spurs to yet another damaging defeat.
Thomas Frank later blasted the VAR intervention: “Never a penalty — ten of those happen every game.”
But Tottenham were not finished — and neither was their captain.
Five minutes into added time, a Spurs corner was only half-cleared. Ramsdale punched the initial delivery, but the ball dropped awkwardly to Romero.
With his back to goal and bodies everywhere, the Argentine improvised a looping overhead effort. The strike bounced through a maze of legs, skidded off the turf and nestled inside the far post.
It was scruffy, chaotic, and utterly priceless. Spurs’ bench erupted; Newcastle players collapsed in disbelief.
Both sides had fought brutally to the final whistle — but neither could emerge with all three points.
This result means Spurs remain winless in five Premier League games but avoid a morale-crushing defeat and Newcastle stay in the bottom half despite long stretches of dominance, Romero delivers one of the standout individual performances of the season, rescuing Spurs almost single-handedly.
A pulsating, chaotic contest — and one Tottenham will remember as the night their captain led from the front, twice dragging them back from the brink.
