Fabian Schar rescued a point for Newcastle with a last-gasp equaliser as Eddie Howe’s side held Premier League leaders Liverpool to a pulsating 3-3 draw from a breathless encounter at St James’ Park.
Alexander Isak had thumped home a bullet finish on 35 minutes as Newcastle chased their first win against the visitors since December 2015, but nothing prepared the sell-out crowd for what lay in store in a raucous second half as both sides served up another modern day classic.
Curtis Jones dragged Liverpool level on 50 minutes in his 150th appearance for the club via Mohamed Salah’s sublime pass, only for Anthony Gordon to restore the home side’s lead on 62 minutes from an Isak pass.
But Arne Slot’s men were far from finished as substitute Trent Alexander-Arnold twice played provider for Salah to equalise on 68 minutes then fire Liverpool ahead on 85 minutes.
It looked like a certain winner until Schar somehow slipped the ball home from the tightest of angles in the 90th minute after visiting keeper Caoimhin Kelleher thought Bruno Guimaraes’ free-kick was sailing out of play.
Liverpool continue to hold a seven-point lead at the top before they visit Everton for the Merseyside derby at Saturday lunchtime, with Newcastle heading for Brentford later in the afternoon.
Talking Point – Football the real winner from a ferocious battle
This was every bit as memorable as those classic Premier League battles between these sides in the 1990s when Kevin Keegan’s slick team chased the title.
Neither side were content to sit back, and that contributed to a magnificent all-out attacking encounter with Newcastle deserving huge credit for holding a rampant Liverpool, fresh from defeating Manchester City and Real Madrid over the past week.
It will be difficult for any game to match this one this season with the live action actually resembling highlights, such was the intensity of the evening in some wretched driving rain as posts were rattled amid a rash of shots at both ends.
Newcastle, with the superb Isak and Gordon a constant menace, move up to 10th spot, but should end the season higher up in the table, while Liverpool will take some stopping in their quest to become champions.
Player of the Match – Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Another outstanding display from Salah to drag Liverpool back into a wonderful contest with a lovely assist for Curtis Jones to equalise before two exquisite finishes of his own. Also rattled the crossbar with a terrific shot late on.
Must be wondering how he departed Newcastle with only one point after leading the home side’s defence a merry dance. A new contract for Salah remains the ideal Christmas present for Liverpool fans.
Player Ratings
Newcastle: Pope 7, Livramento 7, Schar 7, Burn 7, Hall 6, Guimaraes 7, Tonali 7, Joelinton 7, Murphy 7, Gordon 8, Isak 8 Subs: Wilson 6, Barnes 6, Willock 6, Longstaff 6
Liverpool: Kelleher 7, Gomez 5, Van Dijk 7, Quansah 7, Robertson 7, Mac Allister 7, Jones 7, Gravenberch 7, Salah 9, Gakpo 7, Nunez 7 Subs: Diaz 7, Szoboszlai 7, Alexander-Arnold 8
Match Highlights
15′ ALEXIS SO UNFORTUNATE NOT TO OPEN SCORING Mac Allister showing genuine class as he again thumps a shot at goal, but it hits a post and spins wide with Pope beaten to his right. How close was that to the opener?
23′ NEWCASTLE WITH TWO SUPERB MOVES! Murphy slams an effort against the outside of a post with Caoimhín Kelleher well beaten before the Liverpool keeper holds a weak Bruno Guimaraes effort with ease from the Isak supply work. Excellent pressure.
35′ GOAL! (ISAK) NEWCASTLE 1-0 LIVERPOOL Wow. What a finish that is from Isak. Bruno Guimaraes with the reverse pass and the finish was a bullet from the edge of the box. A 1-0 lead for Newcastle! Game on!
50′ GOAL! NEWCASTLE 1-1 LIVERPOOL (JONES) And there is the equaliser. Home side caught out at the back as Salah comes up with a superb pass using outside of the boot and Jones arrives on cue to hammer the finish high into the net. What a way to celebrate your 150th appearance for the club!
62′ GOAL! (GORDON) NEWCASTLE 2-1 LIVERPOOL A brilliant goal from the home side as Gordon races onto the pass from Isak. Turned Gomez inside out before prodding the finish into the net. Kelleher just failing to keep it out as the finish slipped under him.
68′ GOAL! NEWCASTLE 2-2 LIVERPOOL (SALAH) This game is right in the mixer now as Trent Alexander-Arnold comes off the bench to provide a lovely cross for the clinical Salah to finish with some ease. What else did you expect? It is 2-2.
85′ GOAL! NEWCASTLE 2-3 LIVERPOOL (SALAH) And Salah does have the final say as he converts the Alexander-Arnold cross. Thumped into the corner of the net. A magical finish. And Liverpool fans are in dreamland. They lead 3-2.
90′ GOAL! (SCHAR) NEWCASTLE 3-3 LIVERPOOL This is astonishing stuff as Bruno Guimaraes throws over a free-kick. Caoimhín Kelleher decides to leave it and Schar arrives around the back to nudge the finish into the net from an acute angle. How did he turn that in? Five minutes added to the match. Home fans go wild. Little wonder.
Key Stat
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