Romero put on Messi’s cloak and delivered undeserved point for Spurs against Newcastle

It’s not good, nor does it look like it will get any better anytime soon. But considering how things could have turned out, Tottenham can celebrate the point they earned in one of the most entertaining matches of the Premier League’s 14th round, away at Newcastle – 2–2 (0–0). A point delivered in spectacular fashion by captain Cristian Romero, who snatched from the team from the north of England a more-than-deserved victory.

After missing the defeat to Fulham in the previous round due to suspension, the Argentine centre-back returned to the starting lineup (somewhat surprisingly at the expense of Micky van de Ven, not Kevin Danso) and, with the captain’s armband on his arm, prevented another setback.

And what a way to do it—scoring twice for the first time in his senior career, with the second goal destined to be talked about for a long time. Deep into stoppage time, the Argentine soared into the skies and, surrounded by Newcastle players, caught a bicycle kick for the final 2–2.

Final and far from deserved, because Tottenham managed to score twice from their only two shots on target against Aaron Ramsdale. When he arrived at the club, Thomas Frank was very clear about his principles, saying he wanted his team to be brave, aggressive, and attack. However, Tottenham tonight were none of those things. Truth be told, they haven’t been for a while. No one but Romero.

The London side once again threw away the first half: the match at St James’ Park was their fourth consecutive league game without a single shot on target before the mandatory interval. Though they weren’t far from scoring and easing the heat of the Newcastle onslaught in the 37th minute, when Lucas Bergvall cleverly flicked the ball just over the bar with his heel after a cross from Mohammed Kudus—Tottenham’s most consistent performer since the start of the season.

Still, it would have been unfair if the visitors had taken the lead from that situation, because just two minutes earlier Joelinton had struck the post, after half an hour of constant suffocation of the opponent with high pressing.

A pressing that only intensified after the break. It turned out that bringing on Bruno Guimaraes—who replaced Sandro Tonali at halftime—was a perfect move. Not just because of the goal with which the Brazilian midfielder put Newcastle ahead in the 71st minute, but because the home side looked even sharper in the second half. Chances kept piling up, and those at St James’ Park were left wondering how their team wasn’t leading by several goals.

A shot from Nick Woltemade in the 48th minute was cleared off the line by Kevin Danso (after Guglielmo Vicario had stopped Harvey Barnes’ effort in the same action), and midway through the second half Brennan Johnson did the same after a fantastic strike by Tino Livramento from the edge of the box… Spurs somehow held on, though it felt like only a matter of time before they cracked under Newcastle’s growing pressure. It happened in the 71st minute. Woltemade cushioned a cross from the wing with great awareness and laid it off to Guimaraes, who fired it into the near top corner!

And the fight exploded.

Facing another defeat, Tottenham had no choice—they had to take risks. That’s how, to everyone’s surprise, Romero popped up in front of Ramsdale’s goal in the 78th minute, and with the composure of an elite centre-forward slipped ahead of Dan Burn to head home another pinpoint Kudus cross. It was their first shot on target.

Without knowing how, the visitors suddenly had a point in their pocket. But not for long—they lost it again. Rodrigo Bentancur’s incomprehensible decision to try to hold off Burn with both hands during a corner, in the era of VAR no less, gifted Newcastle a penalty. A gift substitute Anthony Gordon did not turn down. He took responsibility, despite Woltemade being on the pitch, and with his first league goal of the season restored the home side’s lead. Many believed—and hoped—it was the winning goal. The goal is HERE!

But Romero had other plans. In the moments when his team was just minutes away from another loss—their potential fourth defeat in their last five league matches—Cuti wrapped himself in a hero’s cape and conjured up a draw.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 14

Tuesday

Bournemouth - Everton 0-1 (0-0)

/Grealish 78/

Fulham - Manchester City 4-5 (1-3)

/Emile Smith Rowe 45+2, Alex Iwobi 57, Chukwueze 72, 78 - Haaland 17, Reijnders 37, Foden 44, 48, Berge 54 (og)/

Newcastle Tottenham 2-2 (0-0)

/Guimaraes 71, Gordon 86(p) - Romero 78, 90+5/

Wednesday

22.30: (1.40) Arsenal (5.00) Brentford (9.00)

22.30: (2.20) Brighton (3.50) Aston Villa (3.50)

22.30: (4.80) Burnley (3.75) Crystal Palace (1.80)

22.30: (3.40) Wolverhampton (3.50) Nottingham Forest (2.25)

23.15: (4.70) Leeds (3.70) Chelsea (1.78)

23.15: (1.40) Liverpool (5.00) Sunderland (9.00)

Thursday

23.00: (1.50) Manchester United (4.30) West Ham (6.50)

***odds are subject to change***