The English Premier League might rarely see a game that’s so less about what’s going on the pitch than the Sunday night encounter against Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur. Ahead of the game, the home fans flocked the St. James’ Park wearing mock Arab headdresses and embraced their club’s new status as one of the richest in world sports following the takeover.

However, as the game kicked off and the new owners looked on from the stands, Newcastle’s performance reminded their fans that the takeover wasn’t a Thanos’ snap and the ever-present problems wouldn’t turn it dust in a day. Although Steve Bruce’s men started strong and opened the scoring early through Callum Wilson, Spurs navigated their way back into the game in the next 20 minutes. Tanguy Ndombele scored the equaliser while skipper Harry Kane put the North London club ahead.

Meanwhile, in the 41st minute, the game was briefly suspended over a medical emergency in the crowd. A supporter at St James’ Park required medical attention during the first half of the encounter.

Spurs players Sergio Reguilon and Eric Dier were the first ones to alert the officials about the emergency, with Sky Sports reporting the Spanish full-back asked referee Andre Marriner to stop the game after the incident unfolded in the stands. 

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Following the brief delay, as the clubs were gearing up for the half-time break, Heung Min-son put Spurs well and truly ahead. 

After the break, what followed was a sketchy 45 minutes of football with Spurs dominating possession but were cautious in their approach. Even with Wilson back in the lineup after an injury, Newcastle failed to trouble Spurs’ defence. Allan Saint-Maximin had a few darting runs into the box, but didn’t find much support from his teammates. 

Meanwhile, after being subbed on at the hour mark, Jonjo Shelvey had a horror show, as he was first yellow-carded and 78th minute and then received a second booking for bringing down Reguilon. Down to 10-men Newcastle were already out of the game, but a late own goal from Eric Dier gave them some hope to salvage a point. But it was too little too late.