BEVERLY HILLS, April 04, (THEWILL) – The English Premier League club Newcastle gave their survival in the top flight of English football a boost when a late goal from Arsenal loanee Joe Willock earned them a vital point in their 2-2 match against Tottenham at St. James’ Park on Sunday.
Steve Bruce and his underfire team had appeared to be heading for another frustrating weekend this Easter Sunday as hosts to north London outfit Tottenham Hotspur after they had begun like a charged unit. In fact, Spurs could have been behind by the 19th minute but for the sharp reflexes of Hugo Lloris, who produced a brilliant double save to deny Dwight Gayle.
Though Newcastle did score soon after, when Joelinton produced an easy finish after Davinson Sanchez made a mess of a clearance, the response from Tottenham was as swift as it was brilliant for their headlining goal poacher Harry Kane.
The leading EPL goal-scoring talent crafted a close range leveller after a mix-up in the area between Emil Krafth and Martin Dubravka from a Giovani Lo Celso pass into the box. There was not enough time for Newcastle to react before Kane edged Spurs in front by latching onto Tanguy Ndombele’s throughball, which he blasted straight into the bottom corner from 12 yards.
The sides came from the break to an end-to-end second period of exciting football and either side could have won it were they more deadly with the chances that were begging to be taken. But, there were no other goals to be had until the very end of regulation time and it was to be for Newcastle.
Both sides will think of how different an end the game could have had if Joelinton converted two glorious chances either side of Miguel Almiron clearing a Japhet Tanganga header off the line. From less than 12 yards out, the Brazilian missed the target twice. Kane must have thought he had the decider in the 52nd minute but was denied by the upright.
In Bruce’s favour, not only did Newcastle play surprisingly positive football than they had managed previously against the likes of Brighton, Manchester United, Chelsea and Crystal Palace, but they dominated in terms of chances and got a deserved equaliser late on, when substitute Willock ensured the points were shared with a close-range strike that went in off the crossbar.
Kane will learn that his brace upped his EPL away-goal tally to a total of 84, making him the only player to reach that number for a single club in the division. But, it will be cold comfort for the English forward seeing as it was not enough to take them into the top-four bracket.
His double also entered Kane into a select class of English legends who have scored five goals each at five different EPL away venues. He will be the fourth of this group that boasts some of the very best in the business like Alan Shearer, Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen. It could have been a sweeter achievement if it gave them three points too.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
