Newcastle United started 2025 in superb style with a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the capital.

The game was won in the first half by Newcastle thanks to goals from Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak with the second half a story of holding on against Spurs. But long before the final whistle had sounded after 102 pulsating minutes, the nature of the first half equaliser was being questioned.

Spurs staff looked on in disbelief as Newcastle celebrated wildly following a move which saw the ball bounce off Joelinton's arm. But VAR officials stated on the big screens: "The referee’s call of goal was confirmed by VAR, who checked for a potential handball by Joelinton in the build-up and deemed that his arm was by his side, in a natural position and the contact was accidental."

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Later, refereeing pundit Mike Dean said that the call was correct and Spurs should have no complaints and Eddie Howe stated after the game he could only be guided by the rule book.

Newcastle suffered an early injury scare after Tino Livramento went down in a heap after a collision with Lucas Bergvall. The defender was deemed OK to continue, but Newcastle soon slipped behind.

United did not cope well with a Pedro Porro cross from the right with Dominic Solanke's diving header leaving fit-again Botman caught out defensively. The ex-Bournemouth man was able to get across Sven Botman and send a stinging header past Martin Dubravka with just four minutes on the clock.

But in fairness to Newcastle, they came roaring back two minutes later. Bergvall tried to set up an attack, but his punted pass hit Joelinton and ran kindly to Bruno Guimaraes. The Brazil ace then slipped in Anthony Gordon down the left before he took a clever touch to nudge it past Radu Dragusin and slam it past debutant Brandon Austin.

Spurs were furious with the goal and claimed Joelinton had used his hand to assist yet the goal stood after a VAR check but the officials stated his arm was by his side. On 17 minutes Blyth lad Dan Burn was shown a yellow card for a foul on Solanke in the centre circle.

Newcastle got in again on 20 minutes when Bruno rolled a pass to Alexander Isak who found Gordon again but this time Austin made a very good save low down. The Magpies should have nudged themselves ahead 12 minutes later when Jacob Murphy crossed into the six-yard box for Isak, but he somehow sent it wide of the target.

However, just six minutes later, the exact same movement saw Bruno and Tonali link up well in the middle before Murphy's cross paid off this time. After he'd drilled it across the face of the goal, Isak got the final touch despite a late lunge from Dragusin.

Newcastle finished the first half strongly. Gordon's effort was deflected wide after another decent shot at goal, while Joelinton steered wide. Spurs replaced Dragusin at half-time with Sergio Reguilon to leave Spurs with no recognised centre-backs.

Dubravka needed treatment after he was caught by the knee of Solanke at the start of the second half. But the Slovakia international was able to continue.

Newcastle survived a penalty scare on 47 minutes when Livramento was deemed to have his hand by his side as Spurs piled on some early pressure. On 51 minutes, Hall and Gordon combined well to win a corner on the left-hand side for the Magpies but Spurs hacked clear.

Spurs came close to an equaliser on 54 minutes after Dubravka was forced to save well from Pape Matar Sarr before Brennan Johnson's effort slammed off the post. However, Gordon should have done better when a Tonali shot fell kindly for him but he blazed over from close range.

The home side introduced Heung-Min Son, England international James Maddison and Yves Bissouma came on for the final half hour for Timo Werner, Sarr and Bergvall. Gordon was forced off after suffering a bloodied nose after a clash with Dejan Kulusevski.

Joelinton was booked with 17 minutes to go for upending Son. Gordon was forced off with blood streaming down his face with 12 minutes to go and replaced by Harvey Barnes.

Spurs came close with nine minutes left when Maddison's effort whistled past Dubravka's goal but Newcastle survived the attack. Seconds later, two consecutive forays into the box saw Newcastle struggling under pressure with Bruno rallying his team-mates going into the closing stages.

Howe made a couple of late changes as Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff were sent on for Isak and Murphy. And as 10 minutes of stoppage time were displayed Botman went off for Lloyd Kelly.

Barnes skipped through in the 95th minute after being played in by makeshift striker Willock but Austin saved well. But the danger was not over as Solanke's header was saved well by Dubravka in the 98th minute of a long hard slog!

And Newcastle held on despite some late, late pressure from Spurs as Postecoglou entered the field looking dazed after the final whistle. The Magpies have 35 points in the bag after 20 matches and are in a good position to qualify for the Champions League.

Referee: Andrew Madley

Attendance: 61,293