Arsenal pulled off a stunning last-minute comeback to beat Newcastle United 2-1 at St James’ Park, with the winning goal coming in the sixth minute of added time.

The match's most controversial moment arrived early in the 14th minute, when Nick Pope brought down Viktor Gyökeres in what appeared to be a clear one-on-one situation inside the box. Initially, it looked like a straight red card and a penalty. However, after a lengthy VAR review, referee Michael Oliver ruled that Pope had made contact with the ball first — no foul, no card, no penalty.

Nick Woltemade later gave Newcastle the lead, and Pope continued to shine with a string of top-class saves that kept the visitors at bay for most of the match.

But the tide turned in the 84th minute when substitute Mikel Merino headed home the equaliser — his effort ricocheting off the post and into the net. Then, in virtually the last action of the match, a misjudged aerial challenge from Pope allowed Gabriel Magalhães to nod the ball into an empty net, sending the away fans into raptures.

The 2-1 victory lifts Arsenal to second place in the Premier League table, keeping their title hopes firmly alive as the 2025/26 season gathers pace.

Premier League 2025/26 – Full League Standings

2025-26, England - Premier League

Newcastle - Arsenal 1:2 (1:0)
Goals: Woltemade, 34 (1:0); Merino, 84 (1:1); Gabriel M., 96 (1:2)

Newcastle: Pope; Botman; Livramento (Lascelles, 77); Burn; Tonali; Thiaw; Bruno Guimarães; Joelinton (Barnes H., 90); Gordon A. (Trippier, 67); Murphy J-b (Elanga, 66); Woltemade (Osula, 67)
Substitution: Elanga (from 66); Trippier (from 67); Osula (from 67); Lascelles (from 77); Barnes H. (from 90)
Bench: Ramsdale; Krafth E.; Willock; Miley
Yellow Cards: Joelinton 83; Burn 88

Arsenal: Raya; Mosquera Cr. (Saliba, 46); Gabriel M.; Timber J.; Calafiori (Merino, 70); Zubimendi (Odegaard, 82); Saka B. (Martinelli, 70); Eze; Rice; Gyökeres; Trossard (Lewis-Skelly, 88)
Substitution: Saliba (from 46); Merino (from 70); Martinelli (from 70); Odegaard (from 82); Lewis-Skelly (from 88)
Bench: Arrizabalaga; White B.; Nørgaard; Dowman M.
Yellow Cards: Calafiori 56