Newcastle United staged a breathtaking comeback to defeat Leeds United 4-3 in a Premier League thriller, with Harvey Barnes scoring the winner deep into stoppage time on an emotionally charged day at St James' Park.
Emotional Tribute and Breathless Start
The match was preceded by a powerful show of support from all four sides of the stadium for Newcastle legend Kevin Keegan, whose cancer diagnosis was made public shortly before kick-off. The game that followed was a fitting tribute, a chaotic and end-to-end contest that Keegan's famous sides would have been proud of.
Leeds, aiming to become the first newly-promoted side to go eight Premier League games unbeaten since Birmingham City in 2010, started brightly. They took the lead 13 minutes before half-time when Brenden Aaronson thumped a low drive past Nick Pope from 18 yards after being set up by Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
A Rollercoaster of Goals
The lead lasted just four minutes. Harvey Barnes levelled for Newcastle, firing home from 12 yards after good work from Anthony Gordon and Nick Woltemade. Leeds then regained the advantage in first-half stoppage time. A controversial penalty was awarded after Malick Thiaw was adjudged to have handled, and Calvert-Lewin sent Pope the wrong way from the spot.
Newcastle drew level again in the 54th minute through a magnificent diving header from Joelinton, who met a superb cross from Bruno Guimaraes. The game continued to swing, and with 10 minutes remaining, Aaronson struck again for Leeds, finishing a swift counter-attack to make it 3-2.
Dramatic Finale Seals Unforgettable Win
As the clock ticked past 90 minutes, Newcastle were handed a lifeline. Aaronson was penalised for handball in the box, and Bruno Guimaraes calmly converted the penalty to make it 3-3. The drama was not over. In the 100th minute, with almost the last kick of the game, Harvey Barnes spun and fired a low shot into the corner to complete the comeback and send St James' Park into raptures.
The victory was a heartbreaker for a valiant Leeds side, who had led on three separate occasions. For Newcastle, it was a spectacular way to mark a difficult day, securing three points in a manner that truly honoured their former manager and star.
