Newcastle, Aug 26: Sixteen-year-old Rio Ngumoha announced himself on the Premier League stage in sensational fashion, netting a 100th-minute winner on debut to hand Liverpool a dramatic 3-2 victory over 10-man Newacastle United at St James’ Park on Monday night.
Liverpool appeared in control after Ryan Gravenberch’s 35th-minute strike and Hugo Ekitike’s composed finish early in the second half put them two goals clear, with Newcastle reduced to 10 men when Anthony Gordon saw red for a reckless challenge on Virgil van Dijk.
But Eddie Howe’s side produced a spirited fightback. Bruno Guimaraes’ header halved the deficit in the 57th minute before substitute William Osula levelled in the 88th, sending the home crowd into raptures.
With Newcastle flooding forward, it looked as though they had salvaged a precious point.
Yet the drama was not over. With 11 minutes of stoppage time indicated, Arne Slot introduced Ngumoha, who turns 17 on Friday.
Deep into added time, Dominik Szoboszlai dummied Mohamed Salah’s cross, allowing the teenager to sweep home past Nick Pope and secure back-to-back league wins for the champions.
Ngumoha’s strike made him the fourth-youngest goalscorer in Premier League history, and only the second 16-year-old after Wayne Rooney to net a match-winner.
It was a dream debut for the youngster, who had already impressed in pre-season but was expected to face limited opportunities following the arrival of Florian Wirtz.
Ekitike, meanwhile, continued his strong start with a third goal in as many games, despite jeers from the Newcastle faithful who once hoped to see him in black and white.
For Newcastle, the night was one of frustration. Gordon’s dismissal left them chasing the game, and though Osula’s late strike gave them hope, they could not withstand Liverpool’s relentless pressure.
Howe now faces the added blow of losing Gordon to suspension ahead of their trip to Leeds United on Saturday.
Liverpool, however, march on unbeaten and now turn their focus to a high-stakes clash with Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday.
Ngumoha’s fairy-tale strike will inevitably dominate the headlines, but Monday’s clash was more than just a debut to remember.
It was a reminder of Liverpool’s resilience under Arne Slot, a team capable of conjuring late magic even when momentum seemed to be slipping away.
For Newcastle, it was a bitter lesson in discipline and missed chances, their fightback undone by a lapse in the dying seconds.
The atmosphere under the St James’ Park floodlights was electric, the game itself a gripping spectacle that swung from control to chaos before settling in heartbreak for the hosts and jubilation for the visitors. (Agencies)
