100% tackles, 100% dribbles: Frank may have just found Spurs’ new Dembele vs Newcastle
Tottenham Hotspur salvaged a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser at St. James’ Park, cancelling out Newcastle United’s controversial late penalty and bringing an end to their recent run of defeats.
For Tottenham, the opening 45 minutes felt painfully familiar. Despite controlling large spells of possession, they once again reached half-time without registering a meaningful test for the goalkeeper — the fourth consecutive match in which their attacking output before the interval amounted to little. But just as they did in Paris last week, Thomas Frank’s side emerged from the break with renewed fight and a far sharper edge. Few embodied that spirit more than Cristian Romero, who delivered a captain’s performance by scoring both goals that ultimately ensured Spurs left Tyneside with a deserved point.
Newcastle had struck first through Bruno Guimarães, and the hosts were later handed a contentious penalty that Anthony Gordon converted. The decision caused widespread frustration among Spurs supporters and neutrals alike, with Arsenal correspondent Charles Watts calling the award “madness” given the minimal contact involved. Yet despite the setback — and despite a frustrating record of four consecutive losses to Newcastle — Tottenham responded with resilience. Romero’s intervention not only salvaged a draw but also provided Thomas Frank with a badly needed platform as the club moves into a pivotal December run.
Romero Leads a Relentless Spurs Fightback
Cristian Romero has long been recognised as one of the Premier League’s fiercest competitors — a defender whose aggressiveness and intensity set the tone for those around him. At St. James’ Park, he delivered the full Romero experience: courageous, commanding, and unafraid of taking responsibility.
His first goal came from a fearless header, beating multiple defenders to the ball. His second was the kind of acrobatic finish expected from a centre-forward rather than a centre-back — a spectacular bicycle kick deep into stoppage time that stunned the home crowd and ignited the away end. On his return from suspension, the Argentine reminded supporters of the emotional and tactical lift he brings whenever he wears the armband.
Defensively, his night was not flawless. Romero won only six of his 13 duels and was turned too easily by Harvey Barnes during one dangerous moment. Yet he compensated with sheer work-rate and leadership, registering five recoveries, five clearances, and two crucial blocks. His presence, both in quality and personality, kept Spurs afloat when the match threatened to slip away.
Romero will naturally command most of the headlines, but Tottenham had another standout performer — one whose development may prove just as important for the future of Frank’s project.
Lucas Bergvall: Tottenham’s New Mousa Dembélé?
Amid an unsettled season, 19-year-old Lucas Bergvall has emerged as a rare and consistent positive. Composed in possession and fierce in the challenge, the Swedish midfielder has shown maturity far beyond his years — and his blend of elegance and physicality has inevitably drawn comparisons to former Spurs favourite Mousa Dembélé.
Throughout the match, Newcastle pushed aggressively, often pinning Tottenham deep into their own half. Yet Bergvall repeatedly helped relieve pressure, carrying the ball forward with calm assurance and intervening decisively when the midfield battles became scrappy. One Spurs podcast host even described him as “a class above the rest in the first half,” noting that he seemed the only outfield player — aside from Romero — capable of asserting control amid the chaos.
The comparison to Dembélé is still premature, but the similarities in style are striking. Like the Belgian, Bergvall glides with the ball, shields it intelligently, and rarely looks rushed. His determination and technical sharpness were fully on display as he won key challenges and executed both of his attempts to drive Spurs up the pitch at critical moments. Kevin De Bruyne once labelled Dembélé “the best in the world” during his prime because of that exact blend of grace and power — qualities Bergvall is beginning to hint at.
Football.london handed Bergvall a 7/10 rating, praising his intensity, pressing, and energy as he repeatedly disrupted Newcastle’s midfield and contributed to Tottenham’s second-half surge. For a side that has frequently struggled to play with fluency or conviction this season, Bergvall’s confidence and dynamism felt essential.
A Foundation for Spurs to Build On
Bergvall is still far from reaching the levels Dembélé consistently achieved at Tottenham, but his performance at St. James’ Park showcased the kind of midfielder Frank will want to build around. Meanwhile, Romero’s heroics — in both leadership and execution — served as a reminder that Spurs possess the backbone needed to weather difficult stretches.
Tottenham remain a work in progress, still searching for attacking sharpness and greater consistency, yet the never-say-die attitude that powered this comeback offers encouragement. With December’s demanding schedule looming, this spirited draw may prove a turning point — one driven by the captain’s resolve and the emergence of one of the club’s most exciting young talents.