Alexander Isak scored his first goal of the season as Newcastle maintained their unbeaten start in the Premier League with a hard-fought win over Tottenham.
The visitors bossed much of the contest but were wasteful in the final third, unlike Newcastle, who capitalised on their few openings to claim the three points.
Harvey Barnes’ delightful finish put the home side ahead after 37 minutes and, although Dan Burn’s own goal brought the scores level, Isak netted the winner with 12 minutes to go.
Newcastle were also able to introduce Sandro Tonali as a second-half substitute, the Italy midfielder afforded a hero’s reception on his first appearance at St James’ Park following a 10-month ban for breaching betting regulations.
Barnes goal the difference at the break
The first half ebbed and flowed with a nice tempo.
Newcastle started the brighter and they almost took the lead within five minutes – Isak robbing Son Heung-min down the right flank before delivering a cross-shot that hit the bar with Guglielmo Vicario flapping.
Barnes was next to try his luck, cutting inside and curling a right-foot shot that flew inches past Vicario’s left-hand upright.
Spurs gradually grew into the game and Cristian Romero saw a goal rightly chalked off for offside after getting on the end of Pedro Porro’s free-kick.
A HUGE WIN AT ST. JAMES’ PARK! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/jkzfl83bb3
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) September 1, 2024
Nick Pope had to make two good saves to deny Pape Sarr an equaliser while Porro fired over when well placed.
Newcastle were on the back foot but when they sprung forward, they did so to devastating effect. Lloyd Kelly escaped down the left and his cross was cleverly diverted past Vicario by Barnes.
Spurs hit back
Spurs dominated the first half of the second period but were let down by some poor finishing.
Wilson Odobert should have scored at the far post but opted to knee the ball rather than head it and the chance was wasted.
Son then shot tamely at Burn after running unopposed to within 12 yards of the Newcastle goal.
From the resulting corner, Porro’s deflected cross hit the bar.
The leveller finally arrived after 56 minutes. James Maddison’s shot was only partially saved by Nick Pope and Son turned the rebound towards goal where Burn could only hammer it high into the net.
Only a brilliant save from Pope then denied Maddison as Spurs continued to control the game, Porro also seeing a shot saved by the former Burnley goalkeeper.
Isak has final say
Substitute Brennan Johnson shot over when well placed after 75 minutes and it proved a costly miss as, completely against the run of play, Newcastle regained the lead a minute later.
Spurs’ high line was exposed by Joelinton’s ball to Jacob Murphy and he ran through before squaring unselfishly for Isak to tap home.
