Sandro Tonali injury concern after Newcastle United star forced off against Tottenham Hotspur
Newcastle United 2-2 Tottenham Hotspur: Sandro Tonali was forced off at half-time in the draw at St James’ Park.
Newcastle United are uncertain over the fitness of Sandro Tonali after he was forced off in the 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Italian midfielder came back into the starting line-up but picked up a couple of knocks in the first half before being withdrawn at the break with the score at 0-0.
Tonali’s replacement, Bruno Guimaraes, broke the deadlock for The Magpies heading into the closing stages before Cristian Romero equalised. Anthony Gordon put Newcastle back in front in the 86th minute before Romero popped up again with a 95th minute overhead kick to secure a 2-2 draw for Thomas Frank’s side.
With Newcastle registering 17 shots and having two cleared off the line, it felt like two points dropped as Spurs scored with their only two efforts on target.
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Eddie Howe disappointed with late Spurs equaliser
When asked about Spurs’ second goal and how it came about, Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe said: “I don't really know [what happened] to be honest, I haven't seen it again yet so I'm just reliving it in my head continually, live.
“It looked like we didn't get a good first contact on the first ball in because really that first contact is so important, you want to clear your box, you want to get the danger away.
“We've allowed Romero to get an overhead kick in the box which from that distance I don't think the ball should go in, it's gone through a melee of bodies, looking for someone to block it, didn't happen and it's gone in the corner and it was almost slow motion wasn't it, I'm sure from your angle it was the same as mine so very painful.”
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NUFC injury uncertainty surrounding Sandro Tonali
The injury to Tonali only adds to Newcastle’s frustration surrounding the result, with Howe unable to give a clear update on the midfielder’s fitness after the match.
“He took a knock in the first half,” Howe explained. “I don't quite know the extent of the injury or what type of injury it is but he couldn't continue.”