Newcastle surprised Premier League leaders Liverpool with an impressive performance. The “Reds” had the win in their sights, but a mistake by Kelleher changed the game for Liverpool.
The match ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw. While Newcastle salvaged the point in the final minutes, the real beneficiaries were the teams chasing the championship, as Liverpool’s single point allowed their 9-point lead at the top to slip away.
Newcastle Puts Pressure on the Leaders
The action at St. James’ Park began intensely, with both teams coming close to scoring early on. Newcastle had two chances, one hitting the post, while Liverpool also had a shot that struck the crossbar and went wide.
It wasn’t until the 34th minute that the deadlock was broken, thanks to a fantastic goal by Alexander Isak. The Newcastle player received the ball in the attacking third, drove towards the box, and before reaching the edge of the area, unleashed a powerful shot that nestled in the top left corner of the goal.
For the rest of the first half, the “Magpies” dominated but couldn’t convert their chances into a second goal.
Liverpool Responds
In the second half, Liverpool pushed forward, and just 5 minutes into the half, at the 50th minute, Curtis Jones equalized. With an assist from Mohamed Salah, Jones entered the box and fired a first-time shot that beat the goalkeeper with incredible speed.
At the 62nd minute, Newcastle regained the lead with a well-executed team move. Anthony Gordon, receiving a perfect pass from Isak, dribbled past his marker and struck a cross-shot that found the back of the net, giving Newcastle a 2-1 lead.
Salah Nearly Wins It for Liverpool
At 68′, after a goal from Newcastle was disallowed for offside, the “Reds” found the equalizer through Salah. On a cross from Alexander-Arnold, Salah neatly finished with a shot to the far post, leveling the score at 2-2.
Then, in the 83rd minute, Salah put Liverpool ahead for the first time. Controlling a low cross with his back to goal, he quickly turned and struck a left-footed shot to the far post, leaving the goalkeeper no chance, giving Liverpool a 3-2 lead.
Kelleher, the Villain of the Game
It seemed like Liverpool was on their way to a victory, but a blunder by goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher turned the tide. On an easy aerial ball, Kelleher let the ball slip through, thinking it would go out of bounds, but Fabian Schär pounced on the opportunity, and with Kelleher out of position, he tapped the ball into the empty net to secure the 3-3 draw in the 90th minute.
Pictures: X (@NUFC) y X (@LFC)
