Look who’s scoring!
United grab a draw to pull a precious point further clear of the drop
NEWCASTLE United grabbed a point to avoid a totally calamitous afternoon at St James’ Park.
Having taken the lead through Joelinton, the Magpies switched off as Harry Kane’s double had them staring down the barrel before help from a borrowed body in Joe Willock secured a vital point.
On a day when United had 22 goal attempts, a point may be deemed too little when wins are needed – but if Steve Bruce’s side can keep up this fighting spirit it might just survive this term.
United had their first glimpse of goal after two minutes as Joelinton won the ball on the edge of the box but – with the forward almost having too much time – he could only hit it straight at Hugo Lloris.
A Spurs free-kick, whipped in by Lucas Moura, then caused panic in the box for Newcastle but it thankfully bounced wide.
England star Kane had two early sights of goal in the first 10 minutes with a free-kick blocked by Jamaal Lascelles and then an angled effort which Martin Dubravka palmed around the post.
With 15 minutes gone, Emil Krafth shimmied around his marker and drilled in a low shot which was deflected away for a corner.
However, the set-piece came to nothing as
Spurs easily cleared their lines. Moments later, Jacob Murphy’s right-wing cross found Dwight Gayle but the striker’s effort was deflected over the bar.
Gayle was then presented with two opportunities in the box after a good delivery by Jonjo Shelvey but was denied by Lloris from close range at the Leazes End.
With 28 minutes played Newcastle were rewarded with the goal their dominance deserved.
Matt Ritchie won the ball in the left-hand corner before Sean Longstaff’s ice-cool pass picked out Joelinton.
The Brazilian striker made no mistake from close range to slam it past Lloris for his first goal since November.
The relief of the players was there for all to see as United celebrated wildly in the empty stadium.
However, their good work evaporated as Giovani Lo Celso pass was not dealt with properly by Krafth and the ball bounced off Kane, who levelled just 26 seconds after the restart after United went in front.
Then four minutes later Kane grabbed a second as Tanguy Ndombele played in the England striker and he drilled it past Dubravka to make it 2-1.
United did settle down a little before going in for the break but it was too late, the time to be calm had been and gone as Spurs netted twice straight after Newcastle went ahead.
Spurs had the luxury of bringing on Son
Heung-min as sub during the interval as he replaced Alvais Morais.
The second half started with Miguel Almiron curving a shot at goal but Lloris palmed the ball away to safety.
Moments later. both Murphy and Sean Longstaff tried their luck but they could not test Lloris to the full.
Spurs then brought on Erik Lamela as he replaced Moura on 64 minutes.
Newcastle were thankful to Almiron on 66 minutes when he made a last gasp clearance off the line to deny Japhet Tanganga.
Allan Saint-Maximin was handed the final quarter of the game to test Spurs as he replaced Gayle.
Dubravka made a good block to deny Kane when he drifted into the box and tried a cheeky back-heel on 73 minutes.
Bruce made his second change of the afternoon as Joe Willock came on for Krafth.
The Arsenal loanee had been on the field for just six minutes when he rattled in the crucial equaliser.
With five minutes, left Ritchie curled the ball in from the left after Saint-Maximin played him in.
Joelinton headed across goal with Almiron’s close-range effort blocked before Willock followed in to ram home the equaliser for 2-2.
United survived late pressure from Spurs when substitute Gareth Bale’s free-kick sailed over the bar at the Leazes End but they were good value for a point despite the rush of blood after going ahead in the first half.