Alexander Isak’s first goal of the season secured a crucial 2-1 win for Newcastle United over Tottenham Hotspur in an action-packed Premier League clash at St James’ Park.
The Swedish striker struck 13 minutes before the final whistle, sealing victory in a match where Spurs dominated possession but failed to turn their pressure into goals.
Newcastle’s goalkeeper Nick Pope, who had a hand in the unfortunate own goal by Dan Burn that nullified Harvey Barnes’ opening strike, redeemed himself with several outstanding saves.
He was also spared further embarrassment by his crossbar and Tottenham’s errant finishing.
Despite the victory, Eddie Howe’s side, cheered on by a crowd of 52,211 including chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan, showed signs of rustiness.
Many fans were still unsettled by what they saw as a lackluster summer transfer window, even as Italy international Sandro Tonali made his return to Premier League action as a second-half substitute following a 10-month ban.
Spurs were under pressure from the outset when Isak dispossessed Son Heung-min deep in Tottenham’s half and attempted a bold chip over goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario in the fifth minute, only to see the ball clip the crossbar.
Three minutes later, Vicario was forced into action again, diving across his goal as Barnes, cutting inside from a pass by Anthony Gordon, sent a shot narrowly wide.
The visitors gradually found their rhythm, with Son, Yves Bissouma, and James Maddison becoming increasingly influential. A 12th-minute header from Cristian Romero did find the back of the net, but it was correctly disallowed for offside.
Newcastle threatened again through Emil Krafth and Lloyd Kelly, both coming close from set-pieces. However, Spurs responded with Wilson Odobert, whose powerful effort just missed the target, leaving Pope relieved.
Pope then made a sharp save in the 25th minute to deny Pape Sarr, who had been set up by Son and Dejan Kulusevski.
Just two minutes later, Pope was called into action again to thwart Sarr as Tottenham’s pressure mounted.
But it was Newcastle who broke the deadlock eight minutes before halftime. Dan Burn took a quick throw-in to Kelly, who delivered a pinpoint cross for Barnes. The winger coolly directed the ball across Vicario and into the far corner of the net.
After the break, Radu Dragusin’s crucial challenge stopped Isak from capitalizing on a through-ball from Tino Livramento. Meanwhile, Spurs continued to dominate possession.
Wilson Odobert couldn’t convert Brennan Johnson’s deflected cross from a tight angle, and Burn threw himself in front of Son’s shot after a determined solo run. Pedro Porro then saw his deflected cross loop onto the crossbar.
Tottenham’s persistence finally paid off in the 56th minute. Pope could only parry Maddison’s shot into the path of Johnson, who squared it back across the face of goal, forcing Burn into a desperate clearance that ended up in his own net.
With the momentum fully with the visitors, they continued to press, but Vicario had to be alert to save a close-range effort from substitute Jacob Murphy, who had been set up by a neat combination involving Bruno Guimaraes, Isak, and Gordon.
Tonali entered the fray as a 68th-minute substitute for Sean Longstaff, but Spurs kept probing. Odobert missed a golden opportunity after a Burn error, and Guimaraes narrowly avoided an own goal while trying to intercept a dangerous cross from Johnson.
Pope then made two vital saves in quick succession from Maddison and Porro, while Johnson fired over from a promising position.
Ultimately, Tottenham paid for their missed chances when Murphy latched onto Joelinton’s through-ball and squared it perfectly for Isak, who made no mistake in scoring what proved to be the winner.
