Rio Ngumoha’s 100th-minute winner delivered Liverpool a gripping 3-2 victory over Newcastle United at St James’ Park. The 16-year-old came off the bench to curl home and, on his Premier League debut, become Liverpool’s youngest scorer, sealing a result that swung on drama, discipline and pure nerve.
Goals, Cards — and No Let-Up
Liverpool struck first when Ryan Gravenberch’s low, deflected effort beat Nick Pope in the 35th minute. Seconds after half-time, Hugo Ekitiké reacted quickest to a rebound to make it 2-0. Newcastle, down to 10 after Anthony Gordon saw red for a reckless lunge on Virgil van Dijk, roared back: Bruno Guimarães headed in on 57 minutes and substitute Will Osula poked home late to level at 2-2. Then came the moment — Rio Ngumoha’s 100th-minute winner — to silence the ground
Red Card Transforms The Contest
The match crackled from kick-off in a fixture dubbed “El Isako” amid Liverpool’s pursuit of Alexander Isak. But Gordon’s dismissal, awarded after VAR reviewed his tackle into Van Dijk’s calf, flipped the momentum. Liverpool still rode periods of pressure, with Newcastle losing Sandro Tonali and then Joelinton to injury before Osula’s late equaliser set up the breathless finale.
Transfer Saga Looms Large
The night unfolded under the gaze of Newcastle chair Yasir Al-Rumayyan and a PIF delegation, with minority owner Jamie Reuben visiting Isak earlier in the day as the stand-off over his future rumbled on. Afterward, Liverpool manager Arne Slot summed up the chaos: “I’m not sure it was a football match today.” Through it all, the difference was the cool finish — Rio Ngumoha 100th-minute winner — that kept the champions perfect.
