It was billed to be an exciting clash. Liverpool were being hosted by Newcastle, who, not so long ago ( 16th March) had beaten the Reds in the EFL Cup Final. No wonder the defending Premier League Champions were out for redemption at St. James’ Park, as the last game of Match Day 2 of the EPL 25-26 season unfolded last night, with lots of drama.
As both teams tested the waters, Newcastle United looked threatening initially, but an alert Alisson Becker kept things in check. Ryan Gravenberch broke the status quo as his fiercely struck shot took a little deflection off a defender and entered the Newcastle net. Liverpool had drawn first blood in the 35th minute.
Just as the first half was nearing completion, a brain-fade moment occurred from none other than Anthony Gordon. The Newcastle striker made a needless tackle on Virgil van Dijk from behind. The tackle looked terrible, and after a VAR check, Gordon was sent off, reducing the Magpies to 10 men for the second half.
Hugo Ekitike once again showcased his striking prowess as he let one zip past Pope, Newcastle’s goalkeeper, to give Liverpool a second goal just at the start of the second half. With two goals down and a depleted fleet, it appeared as if Ekitike had delivered the killer punch and that Liverpool had taken their revenge. But the Magpies were not giving up yet. They were not going down without a fight.
Newcastle’s captain, Bruno Guimaraes, showed the way with a fine header to reduce the lead by half in the 57th minute, and then, when it looked all over, substitute William Osula squared the match with a fine tap-in to beat Becker in the 88th minute. The match was brought to an even keel by the sheer tenacity and determination of the Newcastle players, who refused to surrender. But there was another twist left in the tale.
As the match hurtled towards a well-deserved draw for Newcastle, Arne Slot pushed through a spate of substitutions. His uncanny wisdom with subs may soon become football folklore as 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha scored the winning goal, 10 minutes into stoppage time. A good move from the right, a perfect cross from Salah, and a cool finish by Ngumoha snatched victory from the Magpies, just before the final whistle.
At 16 years and 361 days, Rio Ngumoha became Liverpool’s youngest Premier League scorer. The teenager also became the fourth youngest in EPL history behind James Vaughan, James Milner, and Wayne Rooney.
The loss shattered Newcastle’s hearts no end as a scrappy Liverpool completed a hard-fought victory and, with it, secured three crucial points.
The Magpies will travel to Elland Road to meet Leeds United on Saturday and will be looking to get their first win.
The Reds need to be at their best, though, as they host an in-form Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday. An edge-of-the-seat affair in the offing.
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