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Premier League - Newcastle United v Liverpool - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - August 23, 2026 Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai scores their second goal from the penalty spot.
By Philip O’Connor and Lori Ewing
Liverpool snatched a dramatic 2-2 draw with Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Sunday as Dominik Szoboszlai converted a stoppage-time penalty on a day when both sets of fans united to honour their shared hero Kevin Keegan, who died aged 75 in July.
As so often when the two sides met during Keegan’s managerial career at Newcastle, there was a crucial late goal, with the Hungary international blasting his spot-kick into the top corner to steal a point that looked to have slipped away from the visitors.
Anthony Elanga had given Newcastle a dream start to the season, scoring in the fifth minute before Cody Gakpo levelled for Liverpool early in the second half.
Joe Willock came off the bench to score what looked likely to be the winner for Newcastle, but deep into stoppage time, Newcastle defender Lewis Hall barged into Liverpool substitute Victor Munoz, and Szoboszlai fired home.
Penalty to Liverpool 🔴🚨
Hall brings Víctor Muñoz down in stoppage time 👀#SSFootball | #PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/exXxeSmS0K
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 23, 2026
Keegan was an important part of the history of both clubs, first with his goal-scoring exploits as a striker on Merseyside before his spells as a player and manager that brought Newcastle back to the top echelons of English football.
As a coach on Tyneside he was famed for his all-out attacking approach and hair-raising defending, and the VIP seats were filled with former Newcastle forwards who had come to pay tribute, as did Liverpool icon Kenny Dalglish, who replaced Keegan when the latter left Liverpool for Hamburg in 1977.
Former England internationals and Newcastle forwards Alan Shearer, Les Ferdinand and Peter Beardsley were all present, as was mercurial Colombian Faustino Asprilla, sporting a bucket hat in the club’s colours.
Elanga quickly gave the former Newcastle heroes something to cheer about when he crowned an incisive counter-attack that ended up with him flashing a shot into the far corner.
Gakpo levelled 10 minutes after the break, picking up the ball outside the box and advancing before drilling a shot into the same corner that Elanga chose for the opener, and Newcastle’s defending for that goal bore more than a passing resemblance to some of Keegan’s leakier rearguards.
Willock’s attacking industry was rewarded when he came off the bench and scored almost immediately to restore Newcastle’s lead with a curling, bouncing shot that should have been the winner, but for Hall’s clumsy challenge on Munoz.
Anthony Elanga is absolutely rapid 👟⚡
Newcastle strike first at St. James' Park ⚫⚪
📺 Stream #NEWLIV on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc#SSFootball | #PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/UqGviCec6c
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 23, 2026
Many expected Alexander Isak, who was roundly booed and jeered on his return to Newcastle after forcing a move to Anfield almost a year ago, to take the spot kick for the Reds, but instead it was Szoboszlai who took control.
Despite being more grit than glitter, the game was a fitting tribute to the naturally dramatic Keegan, and the fans of both sides sang his name throughout as his former teams played their parts in a compelling spectacle worthy of his memory.
Earlier on Sunday, Enzo Maresca could hardly have scripted a more dramatic start to Premier League life as Manchester City manager in a 2-1 win against Bournemouth.
For more than 80 minutes, the doubts surrounding City’s post-Pep Guardiola future appeared well founded as Bournemouth led at the Etihad Stadium and threatened to spoil the start of a new era.
The backdrop to this season has been one of uncertainty, with Guardiola’s departure ending a decade of unprecedented success in which City won six Premier League titles and finally conquered Europe as part of a historic treble in 2022-23. The exits of Rodri, Bernardo Silva and John Stones left Maresca with a squad searching for its new identity.
But City produced the sort of late surge that became a hallmark of the Guardiola years, with Marc Guehi equalising in the 84th minute before Josko Gvardiol struck a stoppage-time winner in a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory.
Marc Guéhi 💪⚽
City's Number Six is too good to waste a free header 💥
📺 Stream #MCIBOU on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc#SSFootball | #PremierLeague pic.twitter.com/hdXE70vjdP
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) August 23, 2026
Erling Haaland, fresh from a World Cup that elevated him to cult-hero status and sporting a newly-shaved head after ditching his trademark blonde locks, endured a frustrating afternoon in front of goal, including a glaring early miss from Nico O’Reilly’s inviting cross.
City, however, grew into the game, finishing with 13 shots to Bournemouth’s five and monopolising possession for long spells.
Their persistence was finally rewarded when Guehi powered home a corner six minutes from time. Then in the 91st minute, substitute Rayan Cherki poked a clever pass through the Bournemouth defence and Gvardiol swivelled before slotting home. The goal was initially ruled out for offside, only for VAR to overturn the decision and send the Etihad into celebration.
“The spirit was fantastic,” Maresca said.
A giant “Welcome Back Enzo” banner had greeted the new boss, once Guardiola’s assistant at City, before kickoff and the Italian admitted the ending made for an emotional occasion.
“It’s the perfect day, to be honest. The perfect day. I was pleased at the end because we give the fans the joy of the three points. I have to say that was quite emotional.”