Arsenal loanee Willock delighted to secure point for struggling Newcastle against ‘unstable’ Spurs
Substitute Joe Willock was a happy man after scoring a late equaliser to earn struggling Newcastle United a 2-2 draw against Tottenham.
The Arsenal loanee rescued Newcastle against the Gunners’ North London rivals yesterday afternoon, reacting quickest to fire into the roof of the net after Miguel Almiron’s effort was cleared off the line.
Joelinton had given the hosts an early lead before a Harry Kane double for Spurs turned the game on its head before half-time.
Willock said: “I thought we played well, so to be behind I thought was a bit harsh. I’m happy I can come on and make a big impact like that. I’m an Arsenal player so it does make it a bit sweeter, but I’m happy to come to Newcastle, do my job and make an impact.”
Magpies boss Steve Bruce dismissed suggestions of a split in the Newcastle camp.
The Magpies have endured a dreadful run of form which has now seen them win only two of their last 21 games and slip into relegation trouble.
However, Bruce is convinced there is a unity within the dressing room which can get them out of trouble.
He said: “They're a good group who want the club to succeed. There’s a spirit among them.”
One man definitely not pleased as he left St James’ Park was Spurs boss Jose Mourinho.
He said: “It was a bad result. I’m not being disrespectful to Newcastle, but that is a match to win. If I analyse the performance, separate it from so many mistakes that lead to instability, which leads to hope in the opposition, I think we were good, but I cannot do it, the game belongs to every moment.”
Despite the point, Newcastle temporarily dropped into the relegation zone when their former striker Aleksandar Mitrović fired Fulham ahead against Aston Villa, before three late goals turned the game Villa’s way. Trézéguet scored twice in three minutes, before an Ollie Watkins strike.
Manchester United strengthened their grip on second in the evening game, coming from behind to beat struggling Brighton thanks to a late Mason Greenwood goal. Ex-united striker Danny Welbeck put the visitors ahead in the first half, before Marcus Rashford’s equaliser set up the late drama.
Burnley boss Sean Dyche bemoaned sloppy defending and being denied two second-half penalties after seeing his side blow a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 at Southampton in yesterday’s early game.
He felt VAR should have intervened when Chris Wood appeared to have his shirt pulled and for a possible handball by Ryan Bertrand, but Saints took a major step towards Premier League survival after goals from Scotland international Stuart Armstrong, Danny Ings and Nathan Redmond overturned a spot-kick from Wood and a strike from Matej Vydra.
Dyche said: “I am frustrated. It's one of them that got away from us through our own lack of awareness. We just stopped doing the basics. In the second half, we had a go, they had a go. Woody has a chance, he's impeded, his shirt is pulled. I'm a fan of VAR, but they are ones you scratch your head at.”