🇦🇺 Newcastle ruin Ange's Spurs homecoming in post-season friendly | OneFootball

Newcastle spoiled Ange Postecoglou’s homecoming with Spurs as they came from behind to win on penalties following a 1-1 draw in Australia in Wednesday’s post-season friendly.

Scorers: Isak 45′; Maddison 32′

The timing of the fixture has proven controversial given its close proximity to the end of the Premier League campaign and with a summer of international football on the horizon but that was of no concern to the almost 80,000 crowd in attendance in Melbourne.

They had little of note to cheer until four minutes before half-time when a disastrous attempt to pass out from the back by Magpies goalkeeper Nick Pope gifted James Maddison possession and he slalomed into the area before finishing emphatically.

But Postecoglou’s pre-match promise of goals came to fruition when Newcastle levelled moments before half-time as Alexander Isak pounced on a parried pass from close range to level.

Spurs did come closest to winning it after the interval with youngster Dane Scarlett twice going close but narrowly failing to give his side the goal which ultimately led to penalties being required to decide it.

In the shootout, which some from both camps didn’t realise was the outcome in the event of a draw, Mark Gillespie saved from Bryan Gil with the first kick and no further misses followed as Eddie Howe’s men came out on top 5-4.

Attention for many in both squads now turns to well-earned rest ahead of Euro 2024 and the Copa América.