· 26 August 2025, 12:30
**Newcastle United were just seconds away from securing a draw at St James' Park last night before 16-year-old Liverpool debutant Rio Ngumoha wrote his name into the history books with a last-gasp winner.**
The fact that it was a young debutant scoring on his debut typified the feeling inside the stadium last night. Everything about the game just felt special, and it needed something special to settle it. Unfortunately for Newcastle, it just went the wrong way.
It was a night of bad luck all round for the Magpies, with the defeat coming entirely against the run of play, Anthony Gordon picking up a red card and a subsequent three-match suspension.
However, even worse were the injuries suffered as Eddie Howe was forced into three changes.
Eddie Howe wasn't too confident about the injuries Newcastle picked up last night
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Sandro Tonali was the first to fall with what looked to be a very painful shoulder injury before Joelinton overstretched and appeared to do himself some damage, then just two minutes later, Fabian Schar had to go off under the concussion protocol.
While a Fabian Schar head injury is just par for the course, the injuries to Tonali and Joelinton looked serious and that was also Eddie Howe's assessment at full time.
> "They are genuine injuries. Joey \[Joelinton\] doesn't look great to be honest.
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> "Sandro doesn't look good, he couldn't move his arm. He wanted to stay on. Fabian had concussion so we will lose him."
Eddie Howe has the players to cover the losses
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We doubt we'll see any of the three injured parties at Leeds on Saturday, along with the suspended Anthony Gordon, which means Eddie Howe is going to have to select a very different-looking starting lineup.
Fortunately, we have Malick Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey to cover Fabi and Joelinton, and Lewis Miley will step in for Tonali, or even fit-again Joe Willock, but hopefully it's Miley.
Will Osula is likely in line for a rare Premier League start in the absence of Anthony Gordon on Saturday, but as for who will fill that gap after that is anyone's guess right now.