Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur played out a dramatic 2-2 draw at St. James Park. Bruno Guimaraes and Antony Gordon were on the scoresheet for Newcastle while Cristian Romero netted both goals for Tottenham keeping the points shared in a closely contested Premier League clash.

After the match Newcastle manager Eddie Howe was candid about his disappointment with the result and the way the goals were conceded. He began with blunt honesty:

“I don’t think that was us at our best today but we battled into a position we wanted to be in with a few minutes left we just couldn’t defend that corner at the end.”

“We are disappointed with the first goal a standard cross and we haven’t defended it well enough.”

Reflecting on Newcastle’s second concession Howe added:

“On the second one it looked like we didn’t get a good first contact on the first ball in because really that first contact is so important We have allowed Romero to get an overhead kick in the box Somehow it went in a painful one for us to take and a disappointing feeling having worked so hard.”

Howe also praised individual performances especially that of Bruno Guimaraes:

“Bruno’s goal was an outstanding finish He made a difference as his energy and enthusiasm and passion is always a stand out for us He made a big difference.”

On tactical and defensive shortcomings Howe reflected:

“Once we got in front we have to be more savvy especially after we scored the second goal We lost territory and the ability to get up the pitch I don’t think we were particularly good on set plays in either box.”

Regarding the penalty awarded to Newcastle during the game Howe stated:

“I’ve seen the penalty back I could see why it was given.”

Concluding his assessment of the match he added:

“We are hugely frustrated with ourselves really That was a game where we had to work really hard for the first goal we were the dominant team but to concede the two goals in the way that we did it’s hugely disappointing because we pride ourselves on being better than that defensively.”

Tottenham manager Thomas Frank highlighted the character and resilience of his team after the match, in his words: “The mentality in the group and the character in the team,  incredible today after a tough week results not going our way the fourth game in 10 days third away game going up against Newcastle St James Park difficult place to go to suffered the first 25 minutes which you need to be able to do here because it’s a difficult place to go then last 60 I really liked that performance.”

He added: “I think we were brave composed on the ball, I think we were a threat.

“Then dealing with two setbacks every good team needs to deal with setbacks and come back from that and come back twice I think it’s exceptionally good because it’s easy not again away from home but that’s just so much praise to the players I think that was really promising.”

Frank singled out Cristian Romero’s performance praising his impact on both goals: “Cuti today wow what a performance overall aggressive defensively good on the ball and of course tops it off with two goals.

“The first the header exceptional that’s a striker’s goal a textbook striker’s goal and the bicycle kick wow perfect and perfect contact with the shin as well bottom corner so well done to Cuti.”

On Newcastle’s second goal which came from a penalty decision Frank expressed his disagreement:

“The second one is very disappointing to concede because for me it’s never a penalty Even speaking to some from Newcastle they don’t think it’s a penalty and we need consistency I think the referee’s call on the pitch nailed it and VAR can only be if it’s clear and obvious.”

He concluded positively on the result and the fans’ support:

“A great point away from home I’m happy with that.”

“I think our fans exceptional travelling 3 000 up here the way they supported us throughout the game singing we also heard them singing and praising Vic throughout the game That’s togetherness You could hear them here and it’s a difficult place to come as away fans and be loud enough so we can hear them They put so much effort into it matched the effort from the team and that togetherness drove us forward and gave us a more than well deserved point.”

Both managers now face mounting pressure as their teams continue to underperform relative to expectations. Tottenham sit 11th after 14 games while Newcastle occupy 13th both with 19 points. Fans of both clubs are demanding immediate improvement as the Premier League season progresses.