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Eddie Howe felt Newcastle United were denied a clear penalty in Saturday’s victory at Tottenham Hotspur.

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The Magpies came from 1-0 down to win 2-1 in North London as goals from Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak cancelled out Dominic Solanke’s opener.

Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou complained heavily about the final result, insisting his team would have won had it been a “fair and even playing ground”.

The Aussie’s comments came after Spurs - who were without several first-team players - protested the decision to allow Gordon’s equaliser to stand, despite the ball hitting Joelinton’s arm in the build-up.

But Howe too felt Newcastle were right to ask questions of the officials when they failed to a second-half penalty after Gordon was smashed into the face by Dejan Kulusevski’s shoulder.

With Gordon’s face covered in blood, the winger had to be treated by physios before playing on. He was eventually replaced by Harvey Barnes the 78th minute.

Asked for an update on Gordon ahead of Tuesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg clash away to Arsenal, Howe said: “Anthony was in a bit of discomfort, only with the cut which was a nasty looking one. Looking back at the decision, I thought that it was a foul, a clear penalty, and he came away from that incident with blood on himself.

“We dusted him and got him back on the pitch and he performed really well for us, I thought he had a really good game. So we’ll see how he is today [Monday].”

Indeed, a lot of supporters share the same view, including club legend Alan Shearer.

Shearer told the Rest is Football Podcast: “Ange Postecoglou had a moan about the referee. He had a rant, didn’t he, after the game where he said the same answer five or six times. I’m presuming it was about the referee. But what he failed to mention was that Newcastle should have had an absolute certain penalty when Anthony Gordon had his nose broken with that challenge.

“But I guess he’s moaning about the handball law, the one that hit Joelinton’s hand when Tottenham were again, after two minutes of taking the lead, trying to play stupidly, trying to play out from the back.”

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Newcastle United will assess Sven Botman’s fitness ahead of Tuesday night's Carabao Cup semi-final first leg tie against Arsenal.

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The Dutchman’s start at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday was his first appearance in almost 10 months. Botman partnered Dan Burn at centre-back in Fabian Schar’s absence and played 90 minutes before coming off in stoppage time with cramp.

Newcastle won 2-1 after goals from Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak cancelled out Dominic Solanke’s fourth minute opener.

“He feels good, naturally a little bit of fatigue at the end of the game,” said Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe. “Yes, it was a long absence but he’d trained a long time for this moment.

“From the Aston Villa game onwards he was cleared to play but we wanted to give him longer to try reach his best physical levels, so it’s not like he’s been rushed back.But straight into action and he did really well and I’m really pleased with him.

Regardless of how you train, Premier League is different to anything else and you can’t really prepare for that intensity but he handled it really well.”

With Schar still suspended for the visit to the Emirates tomorrow night, and Emil Krafth (broken collarbone) and Jamaal Lascelles (ACL) still sidelined, Botman could keep his place in the starting line-up.

Howe, however, will speak to the club’s medical team before making a decision. United also have summer signing Lloyd Kelly waiting for an opportunity.

“We have to speak to the player, speak to the medical team and the experts that will give me some of the answers to what we do with him next,” Howe added.

“Sven is a competitor and hugely driven for team and himself and wants to do really well in his career so I have no doubts what he will say, but we need to speak to other people and come to the right decision.”

Newcastle are currently without a recognised right-footed central defender. Playing two left-footed centre-backs tends to be a rarity, but Howe hasn’t ruled out breaking the mould.

Howe told NewcastleWorld: “I spent most of my career playing on the left as a right footer so I'm not averse to utilising players in that position because I think it all depends on the player and his ability and come how comfortable he is to do it.

“I think Sven has the capabilities of playing there long term because he’s actually got a strong right foot, although you don't see it a lot when he plays on the left. He's technically good with both feet.

“I think it's just a new dynamic for him and I think it will take a little bit of time before he understands the angles having not done it for a long time. But I'm not averse to anything that I think makes the team stronger.”

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Newcastle United have mocked Tottenham Hotspur boss Ange Postecoglou for his controversial post-match comments.

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The Magpies came from 1-0 down to win 2-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday after goals from Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak cancelled out Dominic Solanke’s opener.

But Postecoglou, rather ungraciously in defeat, said his side would have won had “all things been equal and balanced”.

Spurs, who were without several key players through injury, suspension and illness, were furious at the decision to allow Gordon’s equaliser to stand. The ball hit the arm of Joelinton before Bruno Guimaraes picked up the loose ball and played in Gordon.

Following a VAR check, the explanation was: “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.”

Speaking after the game, Postecoglou said: "No, because I know what everyone wants me to say but all I'll say is that on any other day, on a fair and even playing ground, we would have won that game. Simple as that.

"And don't keep asking me about the decision. If you guys have no opinion about it, that's fine. I know what my opinion is and, as I said, if that was a different day and it was an even and fair playing ground, we would have won that game."

Postecoglou’s comments didn’t go down well on Tyneside, or Newcastle’s social media team for that matter.

On TikTok, the club’s official account used Postecoglou’s comments to joke that Spurs had won 3-2, with ‘if all things were equal” scoring in the 88th and 90th minute.

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Sven Botman made his Newcastle United return in the 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur, with Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak the matchwinners for the Magpies.

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It's been a while. He's been missed. But finally, he's back.

It's been a long time, far too long, since Newcastle United fans have been able to rightfully claim Sven Botman in the middle, but in 89 minutes in North London, the former Ajax and Lille defender reminded everyone just what they've been missing.

It wasn't a perfect performance, far from it, how could it be, given the player has missed 10 months of football with a knee issue? It was, however, a show laced with silky ghosts of old, shadows of what the player can add to the United setup before joint troubles limited his on-field abilities.

Here's a look over his return at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after 295 days on the sidelines.

Nervy opening - to be expected?

This wasn’t meant to be how it goes... Well, to a point, anyway.

Botman was expected to be back in the Newcastle United squad for the trip to Manchester United last Monday, but an illness put an end to those hopes.

Six weeks of recovery, with three practice matches, only one of which was played out in public, was enough to convince the Magpies’ much more robust injury management team that this time, he was good to go.

And it’s fair to say, bar the odd concerning moment - he took his fair share of knocks in the encounter - he came through unscathed.

Again, though, it didn’t quite open how he’d imagined all those lonely days in injury isolation - as it started with lapse in concentration, which saw Spurs take the lead.

Starting in his slightly less natural position of right centre-back, Botman had read one cross from the right well, cutting out at source, then one from the left, saw him caught out.

Just four minutes in, Pedro Porro’s beautifully directed bullet landed directly on the head of Dominic Solanke, who guided past the helpless Martin Dubravka for 1-0. In a split second, Botman had been wrong-sided by the darting run of Solanke, and ended up in front of his man, reaching to get on the end of it, towered over by the triumphant England frontman.

It was a mistake he was not to make again in the encounter.

The rough and the smooth

Botman didn’t seem to dwell on the error and was soon in action again, with Solanke again the threat.

With Spurs creating openings in the first 20 minutes, even after Gordon has equalised, Botman had to be at his very best to deny the striker a second, flinging his body in the way to deny what looked a certain goal. It was a block that reminded everyone of the Duthman’s presence and physicality.

On 24 minutes, he showed the other side to his game, taking the ball under pressure on the right before skipping around two Spurs players before being fouled. Another reminder of the player’s ability to read it, and be cool, calm and composed in tight areas.

With the ball, he also showed his prowess by pinging a 70 yard pass over the top to Jacob Murphy. It didn’t come to anything, but with no Fabian Schar in the team, Newcastle lacked that defence splitting pass from the back, Botman stepped into that role seamlessly, just like times of old.

James Maddison caused him a few problems, and the physical battle with Solanke was a joy to watch, but overall, bar a shaky opening 20, things went smoothly for Botman on return.

Concerning exit? And the knocks along the way

As a defender, you’re brought up in the school of hard knocks - and Botman is no different. A big lad, he’s not known for mixing it up with players, more likely to read their next move, often before they’ve even made it.

He did, in this one, have a tussle or two. One challenge from Pape Matar Sarr left him feeling his knee, cue some panicked faces, particularly around me in the press box, but it was just a contact injury.

And one challenge with the opposition keeper saw him arch and hurt his back, but after a grimace, he was good to go.

Botman did leave the field late on, and many worried a new injury was the issue, but no, it was calf cramp, with Eddie Howe confirming after the game, the medical staff did not know how many minutes the player could last before cramping up. He did his manager, himself and his teammates proud by getting through 89 of them.

What next?

Now, everyone will be wondering whether he stays in the team or drops out, having just come back from injury and Arsenal on the horizon on Tuesday?

I’d suspect he will play, again with in-form Dan Burn, and then be given the week off, wit Fabian Schar back for Bromley in the FA Cup.

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Bruno Guimaraes has reflected on Newcastle United’s “massive” victory against Tottenham Hotspur.

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The Magpies came from 1-0 down to win 2-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after goals from Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak cancelled out Dominic Solanke’s opener.

Eddie Howe’s side recorded a fifth straight win in the Premier League, lifting them to fifth in the table, one point behind fourth place Chelsea.

“Very, very pleased,” said the Brazilian. “Finishing and starting the year on the right foot was massive for us. It is a big win, I think we are in a very good moment and I hope we can keep it up because the year is very long but everyone is playing brilliantly at the moment.

“A massive win, very happy for everyone. I hope we can keep it up.”

Solanke opened the scoring in the fourth minute when he headed home Pedro Porro’s cross. However, Newcastle responded immediately through Gordon. Spurs wanted the goal disallowed after there was handball in the build-up but it stood following a VAR check.

“It was massive, a key moment in the game,” Guimaraes said on the equaliser. “Of course I think we could avoid the goal but we stepped up, played very well.

“When you win games like that you feel like we can do big things in the season. Everyone is very happy with the performance in the last six games.

“We know last season we missed a lot to win in a row so the team performance this season has been much better away. The confidence for everyone is very high. Everyone is performing very well. You change two or three players but everyone who comes in is going to play well so this is a big headache for the gaffer!”

It was Guimaraes who set up Gordon before Isak’s goal in the 38th minute proved to be the winner. The Brazilian has now registered six assists this campaign.

“Now playing more as an eight, I have more freedom to help the team a little bit more forward but I also have the freedom to play as a double with Sandro or sometimes as a No.6 so we have a good rotation,” said Guimaraes.

“I am more happy for the win than the assist, the assist is nothing if the team doesn’t win.”

Frustratingly for Newcastle and Guimaraes, the midfielder, like Fabian Schar, isn’t eligible to feature against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg on Tuesday through suspension.

He will, however, be in attendance to support his teammates and is hoping for a positive result to take into the second leg at St James’ Park on Wednesday, February 5.

Guimaraes added: “It is very good for the confidence. I am little bit sad that I will not be able to make the game but I will support the team as a Geordie now and hopefully we can get a good score because the first leg is very important for the second one.

“The confidence is higher, we are in a good moment so I am hopeful we can go there and get a win.”

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Eddie Howe believes the match officials were right to award Anthony Gordon’s goal in Newcastle United’s 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur.

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Gordon equalised in the sixth minute at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, quickly cancelling out Dominic Solanke’s opener. Spurs surrounded referee Andy Madley to protest after the ball struck the hand of Joelinton before Bruno Guimaraes picked up the loose ball and played in Gordon.

Following a VAR check, the goal stood. The Premier League explained the decision via their Match Centre account on X: “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.”

Alexander Isak put the Magpies 2-1 up in the 38th minute and that proved to be the winner to secure a sixth consecutive win in all competitions. After the game, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou said it was the angriest he had ever felt in his managerial career.

"I know you just want me to say something, but I'm not going to. I think it's clear. Whether people agree with me or not, you think it wasn't handball or it was accidental or whatever, I'm just not interested in any of that discussion,” said the Aussie.

"What I'm saying is that on any given day, with a fair and even playing field and logical thought processes, we would have won that game. That's it. You can make what you want of that. I don't know what else to say about it."

While the Gordon goal split opinion, former Premier League referee Mike Dean agreed the officials reached the correct decision. Howe was also under the impression that the goal was right to stand, based on the rules.

“I can’t sit here and lie and say I haven’t seen it because I have,” said Howe. “It definitely hit Joelinton’s arm, I can give you that as well. But I’m not in control of the referee’s decision.

“I believe his arm is down in a natural position and I think the referee and VAR have followed the rules and protocols that are in place so that’s why it is given.”

The FA laws stipulate that the goal would have only been ruled out had Joelinton scored immediately after the ball touched his hand - even though the contact has been deemed accidental.

Newcastle United claimed their third win in five visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - and here’s what club legend Alan Shearer thought about the encounter.

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Newcastle United claimed three points. They further cemented their European-chasing credentials, beating another one of the Premier League ‘big six’ on the road. They made it five Premier League wins on the bounce, six in all competitions, and the win ensured they cannot drop out of the division’s top five this weekend. Alexander Isak became just the third player in black and white to net in seven Premier League games on the bounce, after the man himself in 1996 and Joe Willock in 2021.

So, putting all that into perspective, you’d have thought Shearer, on TNT duty for the day, would have been glowing in his praise of his beloved Magpies.

However, he used his airtime to throw credit the way of injury-ravaged Tottenham Hotspur, in the aftermath of their 2-1 loss to Eddie Howe & Co.

Shearer was keen to give credit to the manner in which Ange Postecoglou’s men handled themselves, especially given the remarkable injury list which has hit Spurs in recent weeks.

"I think you've got to give a bit of credit to Spurs for the way they came back into it with the injuries they had,” said Shearer.

“I expected Newcastle in the second half to overpower Spurs and get a couple more goals. They had to do a lot more defending than I thought they would have and did it really well."

Spurs were this week hit with a sickness bug, which meant star men Son Heung Min, James Maddison and Yves Bissouma were only fit enough for a spot on the bench. The bug also meant No.2 keeper Fraser Forster was unavailable for selection.

The bug hit with Postecoglou also managing an injury crisis akin to the Magpies’ of last season, with Wilson Odobert, Richarlison, Mikey Moore, Guglielmo Vicario, Ben Davies, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie all absent. Rodrigo Betancur was also suspended for the visit of United.

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The Premier League has explained why Anthony Gordon’s goal was allowed to stand.

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Tottenham Hotspur opened the scoring after just four minutes in when Dominic Solanke peeled away from Sven Botman to head home Pedro Porro’s cross.

It was the first Premier League goal goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has conceded this season having kept clean sheets in matches against Leicester City, Ipswich Town, Aston Villa and Manchester United since coming in for the injured Nick Pope.

However, Newcastle United quickly responded when Gordon slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

Spurs’ players surrounded referee Andy Madley in protest after the ball struck Joelinton’s ball in the build-up as he closed down Lucas Bergvall. Bruno Guimaraes then set up Gordon.

Following a VAR check, the goal stood. Explaining the decision via the Premier League Match Centre, their X account wrote: “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.”

Newcastle then took the lead in the 38th minute when Jacob Murphy’s low cross hit off Radu Dragusin before Alexander Isak got the final touch. It is the seventh Premier League game in a row that the Swede has scored in - equalling Alan Shearer’s record, and his 12th of the campaign.

Eddie Howe’s side are on course to record a fifth straight league win and move level on points with fourth place Chelsea.

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Sven Botman makes his long-awaited Newcastle United return against Tottenham Hotspur this afternoon (kick-off 12:30pm).

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The Magpies have been without the Dutchman since March because of an ACL injury. But in the last month, Botman has resumed full training and played three matches for the under-21s.

And head coach Eddie Howe has decided to recall Botman for the visit to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, replacing the suspended Fabian Schar to partner Dan Burn at centre-back.

Speaking at Friday’s pre-match press conference, Howe said: “You go through a process with the type of injury Sven’s had, he’s done an incredible amount of work - it’s not like he’s not had that training time with us.

“We’ve taken longer than maybe normally we would have done through respect for the injury he had to try and make sure he had the best chance of staying fit and when he comes back he’s able to hit the ground running, which is absolutely.

“So I’ve got a decision to make in terms of the team selection but if Sven is in the squad it’s because he is fit and available.”

In two changes to his starting XI, Howe has also brought in Tino Livramento ahead of Kieran Trippier at right-back.

"Yeah, I think Kieran's OK,” Howe said on Trippier. “I think it's a bit of fatigue in the last two games. I don't think there's any muscle problem there."

Newcastle United XI: Martin Dubravka, Sven Botman, Joelinton, Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak, Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento, Jacob Murphy, Dan Burn, Bruno Guimaraes

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Lloyd Kelly is expected to make only his fifth Premier League start for Newcastle United against Tottenham Hotspur this afternoon.

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Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is being forced to change his centre-back pairing with Fabian Schar suspended. And with Emil Krafth (broken collarbone) and Jamaal Lascelles (ACL) still sidelined, Howe has little choice but to field a left-footer alongside the left-footed Dan Burn.

"With our two right-sided centre-halfs being out, Fabian's suspension and Emil injured, it's going to be difficult to find a right-sided solution,” Howe confirmed to NewcastleWorld.

“You rarely see two left footers but two right footers it’s actually quite standard and normal,” Howe added. “I’m going to have to make what I believe is the right call for this game.

“Of course there is going to be a change because Fabian, who has been really consistent for us, will be missing but whoever I pick will have their unique skill set added to the team. You have to try and look at it as a positive.”

The Magpies are set to be boosted by the return of Sven Botman to the matchday squad for the first time since he underwent ACL surgery in March. A place among the substitutes is likely, rather than an immediate to the starting XI.

That puts Kelly in pole position to make his first start since he replaced the suspended Burn for the 2-0 defeat at home to West Ham United on Monday, November 25.

In the summer of 2023, Kelly was subjected to a £20million bid from Spurs, which AFC Bournemouth rejected. A year later, the 26-year-old joined Newcastle on a free transfer.

It has been a frustrating start to life at St James’ Park for Kelly. He has made just 12 appearances in total, six of which have been starts, while he has been an unused substitute in the last eight fixtures.

“Yeah it has [been a difficult start for Lloyd] but I think that has been down to the form of the lads that have played,” said Howe. “Lloyd is a versatile player, he can play a number of positions. Yeah I think the form of Dan and Fabian at the heart of the defence has been really strong, especially of late, I think we look good defensively so I think that is always a position that is difficult for us to rotate too much.

“I prefer to keep a settled back four and to not chop and change. I think the stability of your team is based on relationships but Lloyd is training hard, he’s training very well and he’s waiting for his chance.”