Newcastle maintain unbeaten start with win over Spurs

NEWCASTLE, England, Sept 01 (Agencies): Alexander Isak scored the winner for Newcastle United with a simple tap-in as they weathered a storm from visiting Tottenham Hotspur to secure a 2-1 Premier League win in an entertaining game at St James' Park on Sunday.

Newcastle maintained their unbeaten start to the season .

The hosts took a 37th-minute lead when Harvey Barnes superbly controlled a tricky side-footed finish after Lloyd Kelly had done well down the left and pulled the ball back.

But Tottenham levelled in the 56th minute. After Pedro Porro's shot had been deflected on to the crossbar moments earlier, half-time substitute Brennan Johnson had his shot sliced into his own goal by Newcastle defender Dan Burn.

Keeper Nick Pope then tipped over James Maddison's curled effort and Johnson fired over as Spurs piled on the pressure.

However, against the run of play, Newcastle regained their lead with 12 minutes left.

Joelinton started the move with excellent work in midfield and he released substitute Jacob Murphy who ran at the defence and crossed low for Alexander Isak to net the winner.

In another boost for Newcastle, Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali made his first Premier League appearance since October after he served a 10-month ban for breaching betting regulations. The 24-year-old, who played in the away Carabao Cup second-round tie against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday received a standing ovation from the home fans when he came on as a second-half substitute.

Adding to Newcastle's delight, their Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali made his first league appearance since being handed a 10-month ban for a breach of betting rules and received a rapturous reception from the home supporters.