Ten men, two comebacks, one heartbreak: Newcastle floored by a 100th-minute dagger

Newcastle United poured themselves into the night, roared on by a thunderous St James’ Park, and turned 0-2 into 2-2 with a man light before a cruel twist: Liverpool’s 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha swept home in the 100th minute to snatch a 3-2 away win. It was a finale that belied the bravery and momentum Eddie Howe’s side had summoned with ten men.

The evening unfolded against the charged backdrop of the Alexander Isak saga and Hugo Ekitiké’s decision to head to Anfield. Newcastle’s early surge rattled the champions until a deflected Ryan Gravenberch strike and Anthony Gordon’s red card dug a hole. Yet Bruno Guimarães’ diving header reignited belief and Will Osula levelled late, only for the final act to cut deep.

A cauldron and a cause

Few stadiums can generate a cause like St James’ Park when provoked, and the pursuit of Isak and the summer tug-of-war over Ekitiké gave the night an edge. Gordon, pushed into a makeshift No 9 role, unsettled Liverpool with his running and drew a string of dangerous fouls, while Sandro Tonali stitched promising passing moves together. Harvey Barnes’s cross saw Gordon glance a header just over with Alisson watching anxiously.

But pressure yielded pain near the interval. Ten minutes before the break, Gravenberch’s low strike from the edge nicked off Fabian Schär and skidded past an unsighted Nick Pope. It was a sucker punch at the end of a half Newcastle had largely dictated in territory and intent.

A self-inflicted wound and immediate punishment

First-half stoppage time became the pivot point. Gordon arrived late on Virgil van Dijk, and after Simon Hooper initially showed yellow, VAR advised a review that upgraded it to a straight red. The tackle was reckless; the consequences severe, with Gordon now set to miss Newcastle’s next three domestic matches.

Within half a minute of the restart, the damage multiplied. Ekitiké – a forward long linked with a move to Tyneside before choosing Liverpool – reacted first after Cody Gakpo’s shot was blocked and tucked a precise low finish beyond Pope. From two down and a man light, Newcastle faced a mountain.

Bruno’s banner and the crowd’s surge

Newcastle climbed. Tino Livramento curled in a teasing cross and captain Bruno Guimarães hurled himself into a diving header at the far post to pull one back just before the hour. The noise surged, and for a spell it was Liverpool who looked rattled against the 10.

Adversity kept coming. Tonali departed with a shoulder problem and Joelinton later hobbled off, adding to Howe’s selection strain. Jacob Ramsey made his home debut off the bench to help re-energise the press, and the black-and-white shirts kept coming.

Osula’s spark, then a cruel final act

Persistence paid on 88 minutes. Pope went long, Burn bullied Ibrahima Konaté in the air and Will Osula, a recognised striker at last, toed the loose ball past Alisson to level. The belief was palpable; a point felt the least the effort deserved.

Yet the night broke cruelly. Introduced in the 96th minute, 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha found room at the back post and guided a composed finish beyond Pope in the 100th. It left Newcastle with one point from two games despite a stirring performance, and the headaches of injuries and Gordon’s looming three-match ban, even as the squad’s spirit showed its steel.