Isak scores winner as Newcastle stun Tottenham at St James’ Park

Alexander Isak struck the winner as Newcastle United beat Tottenham 2-1 in a lively encounter at St James’ Park.

Eddie Howe’s men broke the deadlock on 37 minutes when Harvey Barnes produced an excellent first-time finish to convert Lloyd Kelly’s cross from the left.

Tottenham dominated following the restart and deservedly levelled when Dan Burn bundled substitute Brennan Johnson’s cross-shot into his own net.

Ange Postecoglou’s men were utterly dominant but could not make it count on the scoreboard with James Maddison, Wilson Odobert and Johnson all going close.

Newcastle then made them pay with a lightning counter-attack 12 minutes from time as substitute Jacob Murphy set up Isak to roll home.

The result means The Magpies have won their first two home matches in a Premier League season for the first time since 2000/01 and moves them up to fourth spot with seven points from three outings.

Tottenham suffer their first loss of the league campaign and sit 10th.

Next up, Newcastle visit Wolves on Sunday September 15 after the international break while Tottenham host neighbours Arsenal.

This was a hard-fought win for Newcastle and it didn’t go unnoticed that for long spells they were outplayed by a profligate Tottenham. However, the positives are hard to ignore for Howe and Co as they followed up a midweek League Cup win by maintaining a strong start to the PL season.

The Magpies scored for the 21st home league match on the spin and maintained a perfect home record (in 2024-25) to make it 10 PL games unbeaten at St James’ Park.

Throw in the Premier League return of midfielder Sandro Tonali from his betting ban as a second-half substitute, and despite unrest from supporters over a lack of transfer activity this summer, things are pretty positive for The Toon heading into the international break.

The Swede was industrious throughout and got his reward with the winning goal. It was his first of the new campaign and came after he had gone close with a cross-shot against the post.

NEWCASTLE: Pope 7, Kelly 7, Krafth 7, Burn 6, Livramento 7, Joelinton 7, Guimaraes 7, Longstaff 6, Barnes 7, Gordon 7, Isak 8. Subs: J. Murphy 7, Hall 6, Tonali 6, Almiron n/a.

TOTTENHAM: Vicario 6, Udogie 7, Porro 7, Romero 7, Dragusin 6, Maddison 6, Bissouma 6, Sarr 6, Kulusevski 6, Odobert 6, Son 6. Subs: Johnson 7, Werner 6, Bergvall n/a, Bentancur n/a.

05’ – NEWCASTLE CHANCE! Isak wins the ball on the far right from Son and hangs up a devilish cross that deceives Guglielmo Vicario but crashes against the back post.

37’ – GOAL! – Newcastle 1-0 Tottenham: (Harvey Barnes). The home side break the deadlock as Barnes flicks a first-time finish into the corner from Kelly’s clever ball from the left.

55’ – GOAL! – Newcastle 1-1 Tottenham: (Dan Burn own goal). Pope makes a meal of Maddison’s low shot from the left and poor old Burn can only bundle into his own net trying to clear Johnson’s effort on the rebound. It’s no more than Spurs deserve having hit the bar seconds earlier and been completely dominant since the restart.

66’ – NEWCASTLE CHANCE! Vicario beats away Murphy’s shot at his near post after a delightful lay-off from Gordon had freed the substitute on the left side of the box.

78’ – GOAL! – Newcastle 2-1 Tottenham: (Alexander Isak). It’s a sucker punch. Spurs have been dominant, but they are caught on the break as Murphy surges clear before rolling the ball across for Isak to tap home.