Liverpool survived a late scare at Newcastle thanks to a stoppage-time winner from teenage sensation Rio Ngumoha, snatching a 3-2 victory in a chaotic Premier League clash at St. James’ Park.
With the match tied at 2-2 despite Newcastle being reduced to ten men and ravaged by injuries, Ngumoha’s composed 100th-minute strike spared the champions’ blushes after they surrendered a two-goal lead.
Ryan Gravenberch’s opener and Hugo Ekitike’s record-breaking strike just 20 seconds into the second half had seemingly put Liverpool in control, but defensive frailties allowed Bruno Guimarães and substitute William Osula to drag the hosts level.
It was another worrying defensive display from Arne Slot’s side, who have now conceded four goals in their opening two league matches after shipping twice in their win over Bournemouth.
Still, Ngumoha’s late heroics ensured Liverpool left Tyneside with maximum points and a new teenage star to celebrate.
Here is your full match report:
First Half Report
The first half of the game was quite eventful, with Liverpool taking a surprise lead and Anthony Gordon being sent off in stoppage time.
Despite Liverpool heading into the break ahead, it was Newcastle who dominated the game for large spells, creating numerous opportunities but failing to convert.
The hosts flew out of the blocks at St. James’ Park, pressing high and unsettling Liverpool with their intensity. Anthony Elanga was a constant threat down the right flank, repeatedly driving at Kerkez and delivering dangerous crosses.
One of his early deliveries flashed across the six-yard box, begging for a touch from Joelinton, but the midfielder couldn’t make contact.
Gordon, lively on the opposite wing, also went close, first with a looping header from a Barnes cross that narrowly missed the target and then with a low effort from another Elanga delivery, denied only by Alisson’s sharp save.
Newcastle’s aggression was evident not only in attack but in their physical approach. Joelinton clattered into Gakpo early on, while Kieran Trippier left a heavy challenge on Florian Wirtz. Fouls piled up as Liverpool struggled to find any rhythm, and Konaté was eventually booked for hauling down Gordon as he threatened to burst clear.
But for all their dominance, Newcastle were hit with a sucker punch in the 35th minute. Ryan Gravenberch, with little else on, tried his luck from 30 yards.
His low drive skidded through the legs of Bruno Guimarães and clipped the inside of the post, leaving Nick Pope rooted as Liverpool snatched the lead against the run of play.
The goal did little to settle Liverpool. They might have doubled their advantage when Mohamed Salah whipped in a perfect cross for Curtis Jones, only for the midfielder to completely miss his kick from 12 yards. Newcastle, however, began to lose their composure.
Dan Burn was booked for cynically stopping Salah on a counter-attack, and frustration spilled over in stoppage time when Gordon, already cautioned for a reckless foul on Virgil van Dijk, launched into another late challenge.
After a VAR review, referee Simon Hooper upgraded his punishment to a straight red card, leaving Newcastle a man down as they trudged off at half-time.
Second Half Report
Opposite to the first half, it was Liverpool who began the second period with purpose, ruthlessly exploiting Newcastle’s numerical disadvantage to double their lead just 20 seconds after the restart.
Cody Gakpo’s driving run into the box ended with a blocked shot, but Hugo Ekitike reacted quickest to drill a low finish into the bottom corner – a goal timed at 45:20, making it the second-fastest second-half strike by a Liverpool player in the Premier League in over a decade.
At 2-0, and with St. James’ Park subdued following Anthony Gordon’s late first-half dismissal, the contest appeared settled.
Yet Newcastle, decimated but defiant, clawed their way back. Bruno Guimarães ignited belief with a thunderous header in the 57th minute, bullying Kerkez at the far post to halve the deficit.
Despite injuries to Tonali, Joelinton, and Schär, the ten men poured forward relentlessly, their resilience rewarded in the 88th minute when substitute William Osula nipped ahead of Alisson to bundle in a flick-on and level the game at 2-2.
Liverpool, who had barely threatened since Ekitike’s goal, looked rattled and were pinned deep as Newcastle pressed for a famous comeback.
Eleven minutes of stoppage time were signalled, and with the hosts pushing for a winner, the visitors struck.
In the 100th minute, Rio Ngumoha, just 16 years old, capped a sweeping move with a composed finish into the far corner, his first Premier League goal sealing a dramatic 3-2 victory.
