Jacob Ramsey delivered a vital moment as Newcastle United earned an uncommon league success away from home, a result that steadied Eddie Howe while increasing scrutiny on Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank.
The contest arrived with both managers under pressure. Tottenham had not secured a domestic victory in 2026, while Newcastle travelled to north London having claimed only one triumph across eight outings in all competitions.
By the final whistle, chants aimed at Frank echoed around the stadium, with club chief executive Vinai Venkatesham present, as Newcastle’s players supplied the response Howe had demanded from them.
Visitors seize control after dramatic exchanges
Newcastle operated without a recognised centre-forward yet struck first in stoppage time before the interval. Centre-back Malick Thiaw reacted quickest after Guglielmo Vicario blocked his initial header from Anthony Elanga’s delivery, forcing the rebound home ahead of Pape Matar Sarr and Archie Gray.
Tottenham found momentum briefly following the restart. Their first corner brought an equaliser when Xavi Simons’ cross was redirected by Sarr and converted by Gray, prompting a visible release of emotion from Frank on the touchline.
Parity lasted only minutes. Anthony Gordon dribbled into the area and supplied Ramsey, whose first-time effort found the corner, marking his first goal since joining from Aston Villa during the summer.
Frank faces mounting pressure
Despite European progress earlier in the campaign, Tottenham’s domestic form has collapsed. Eight consecutive Premier League fixtures without victory represent their poorest such sequence since 2008.
This setback carried extra weight, even with Manchester United’s late equaliser against West Ham preventing another slide down the table. Spurs remain only marginally clear of danger and never threatened a late recovery.
Supporters signalled their discontent well before the end, with many departing early and those remaining voicing their anger as boos followed the conclusion.
Howe relishes much-needed response
Howe had endured frustration days earlier when Newcastle was jeered after defeat by Brentford, yet his squad responded swiftly and decisively.
Key selections paid off. Ramsey returned to the starting lineup ahead of Sandro Tonali, Elanga was trusted from the opening whistle, and big-money forwards Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa began on the bench.
Concerns surrounding recruitment were eased for the evening as Elanga, Thiaw, and Ramsey all influenced the outcome. Newcastle, who have dropped more points from winning positions than any rival this season, resisted late pressure and climbed to 10th, prompting Howe to acknowledge the travelling support at full-time.