Sixteen-year-old substitute Rio Ngumoha scored a sensational last-gasp winner as Liverpool overcame 10-man Newcastle 3-2 in a Premier League sport for the ages on Monday.
Newcastle performed the second half with 10 males after Anthony Gordon was despatched off simply earlier than halftime. When Liverpool, 1-0 up on the break, went 2-0 forward seconds into the brand new half it regarded like sport over for Eddie Howe’s depleted aspect.
But Bruno Guimarães’ header within the 57th minute gave it a lifeline and the group of 52,200 at St James’ Park erupted within the 88th when substitute William Osula obtained on the top of a protracted punt to poke the ball previous Allison and degree the scores.
Second-half accidents to Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali and Fabian Schar prompted not less than 11 minutes of added time and, as Newcastle continued to pound Liverpool’s ragged rearguard, it regarded prefer it would possibly seize probably the most unlikely of winners.
However, Arne Slot’s late substitutions shifted the steadiness once more. Ngumoha was given his Premier league debut six minutes into added time and 4 minutes later the unmarked winger swept dwelling the winner with aplomb.
The objective got here 4 days earlier than his seventeenth birthday and made him the fourth youngest scorer in Premier League historical past behind James Vaughan, James Milner, and Wayne Rooney.
“This is what makes the Premier League so special,” Slot mentioned. “Every fan around the world would have enjoyed watching this game of football, also because their fans were amazing. I’m not too sure it was a football match today. It was set-piece after set-piece, long throw after long throw. We didn’t collapse and stood strong. We didn’t play well enough on the ball. I don’t think there was so much open play.”
Isak saga
The motion on the sector overshadowed the behind-the-scenes drama that dominated the buildup to what has grow to be one of many league’s most anticipated matchups.
Most of the pre-game debate surrounded the destiny of Newcastle’s sad striker Alexander Isak. The Sweden ahead has been prolific for Newcastle over the past two seasons however he desires a switch and has not performed for the reason that Saudi-owned membership rejected Liverpool’s 110 million pound bid this month.
There was a lot speak about how Newcastle followers would confront the controversy, and earlier than kickoff they unveiled a flag saluting coach Howe and a banner with the pointed message: “Nothing Is Achieved Alone. We Are A City. A Whole Population.”
Gordon regarded to step into the principle placing function and was a fiery presence throughout an exhilarating first half.
Against the run of play, Ryan Gravenberch scored his first Liverpool sport within the league in 16 months. Gordon then made it worse for Newcastle by chopping down Virgil van Dijk from behind, his second crimson card within the league.
Hugo Ekitike, who Newcastle wished to signal within the offseason, poked dwelling his second Liverpool objective in two video games straight after halftime and Newcastle fell into injury limitation mode.
Guimaraes launched the comeback however Ngumoha will take the plaudits after an unforgettable sport.
“It’s a dream debut I’m very, very pleased for Rio,” Van Dijk mentioned. “He has to keep working hard, to stay humble but definitely have to enjoy this, because you can’t take these nights for granted. With the players we have in the squad, I’m sure he’ll be back in a hard training session tomorrow.”
The end result left Liverpool as one in all solely three groups to win its first two video games, together with Arsenal and Tottenham.
Howe’s aspect has one level from its first two video games.
