Newcastle United threw away a winning position for the third time at St James’ Park this season, conceding a 95th-minute equaliser to Cristian Romero in a chaotic 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on December 2 2025. After taking the lead twice through a stunning Bruno Guimarães curl and an Anthony Gordon penalty, defensive lapses and an inability to manage the game in stoppage time saw two precious points slip away. The result leaves Newcastle with 11 points dropped from winning positions in the Premier League this season, the highest in the division, and risks losing further ground on the European places.
Newcastle completely controlled the opening 45 minutes, pinning Spurs back for long spells and creating a string of chances. Lewis Hall was outstanding at left-back, winning duels against Mohammed Kudus, escaping tight spaces, and delivering dangerous balls down the line. Lewis Miley and Joelinton both struck the woodwork, Jacob Murphy forced saves, and Nick Woltemade headed over as the hosts racked up 14 shots before the break. Set-piece delivery was the only real negative, with Sandro Tonali and Hall repeatedly failing to beat the first man.
The second half exploded into life after Howe introduced Bruno Guimarães for Tonali at the interval. Within minutes of attacking the Gallowgate End, The Toon hit the jackpot akin to an online slots win. Guimarães produced a moment of magic, curling a sublime 25-yard effort into the far corner to make it 1-0. St James’ Park erupted, but the lead lasted only ten minutes before Kudus crossed and Romero headed Spurs level.
VAR then awarded Newcastle a penalty for a soft foul on Dan Burn, which Gordon dispatched confidently to restore the advantage. Most inside the stadium believed that was the winner, but Newcastle sat too deep, invited pressure, and paid the ultimate price. Sloppy giveaways from Burn and Joelinton, combined with a failure to clear danger, allowed Romero to score again in the fifth minute of nine added on. His overhead kick was impressive in execution but weak in power and should never have beaten Aaron Ramsdale, who was slow to react through a crowded box.
Final score: Newcastle United 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur.
Howe’s Brutal Verdict on Dropped Points
Eddie Howe was visibly furious after the game, especially when informed that Newcastle have now dropped a league-high 11 points from winning positions this season. Speaking to reporters, he called it “a real strange one” and admitted the club have lost their historical ability to see games out.
“It’s a real strange one. Sometimes these things go in cycles and happen and you can’t quite work them out, a bit like our away form. This is another one. We’ve historically been very good at seeing games out, navigating tough situations, managing the game. We’ve got to try and re-find that quickly because it’s costing us important points.”
On Romero’s 95th-minute equaliser, Howe was scathing: “We didn’t get a good contact on the first ball in, didn’t clear the danger and allowed Romero to an overhead kick in the box, which from that distance shouldn’t go in. We’re looking for someone to block it, but that didn’t happen, and it’s almost gone in in slow motion.”
He also highlighted a psychological element: “Sometimes it becomes psychological or about the fear of conceding, and then you do concede. There is so much that goes into it. But we have to find ways when we are in front to be better. Usually the best form of defence is to attack. I encourage us to do that all the time. But sometimes you have to accept that you’re not in that position in the game to do it and you have to see it out and defend better. Today was one of those moments, but we didn’t do it.”
The late concessions against Liverpool (3-2) and Arsenal (stoppage-time winner) earlier this season show this is now a clear pattern rather than bad luck.
Standout Performers and Concerns
Lewis Hall was the man of the match by a distance, terrorising Spurs down the left and winning every early duel with Kudus. His energy, passing range, and defensive reading were superb, even if fatigue crept in late. Bruno Guimarães changed the game after coming on, scoring a world-class goal and dictating tempo. Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes caused constant problems before being substituted.
On the negative side, Joelinton’s strong first half turned into a second-half “stinker” with sloppy passing and lost duels. Dan Burn struggled badly after the hour mark, giving away possession repeatedly and looking uncomfortable against pace. Aaron Ramsdale will not want to see Romero’s winner again; his reaction was too slow despite the shot lacking power.
Where It Leaves Newcastle
The draw lifts Newcastle to 13th, leapfrogging only Bournemouth after their defeat. With Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Aston Villa all facing winnable fixtures in the next 48 hours, the gap to the European places could widen again. Next up are second-bottom Burnley at home on Saturday, followed by away trips to Bayer Leverkusen and Sunderland. Howe will demand an immediate response, especially in game management.
Verdict: A Recurring Nightmare That Must End Now
Dominating for 70 minutes only to throw away two points in stoppage time is becoming an unacceptable habit. Howe’s honesty about the psychological side of the problem is refreshing, but solutions are needed fast. The team that prides itself on being “robust and tough to beat” is currently anything but when protecting a lead at St James’ Park. Eleven points dropped from winning positions is not misfortune; it is a flaw that will cost European football if not fixed before January.
