Tottenham boss Thomas Frank hailed a “top performance” from skipper Cristian Romero after his brace salvaged a 2-2 draw against Newcastle.

The Magpies had enjoyed a series of promising opportunities throughout the game before Bruno Guimarães sent them ahead in the 71st minute.

Romero replied seven minutes later with an excellent diving header from Mohammed Kudus’ cross, before Anthony Gordon restored Newcastle’s lead from the penalty spot.

The Spurs skipper had the final say in a dramatic finale, scoring an overhead kick in the fifth minute of stoppage-time which bounced through the box and trickled into the bottom corner.

Speaking about Romero’s display, Frank said: “I think that was the perfect bicycle kick, hit with the shin, aiming for the bottom corner.

“Praising Cuti, I think he deserves that. A top performance defending. On the ball: coolness, calmness, duels, then get up there and score two goals.

“I think the bicycle kick will most likely get a little more praise but I think the header is more exceptional, the way he does that is better than many strikers.”

Romero’s eye-catching strike snatched a point for Spurs, who are still winless in their last five Premier League outings and sit 11th in the table, but Frank praised the “willingness” of his side following a tough run.

He said: “I really liked the character and mentality in the team and what this showed after three tough games.

“To go here to the fourth game in 10 days, the third away game at a very difficult place – go behind two times and come back shows everything about the willingness and mentality in the team.”

At 1-1, Newcastle restored their lead from the spot after Rodrigo Bentancur and Dan Burn tangled at the back post from a corner and referee Tom Bramall was called to the monitor.

He awarded a penalty, which Gordon converted, and Frank said: “The second one is very disappointing to concede because I think for me it’s never a penalty.

“Even speaking to some from Newcastle (they) don’t think it’s a penalty and we need consistency.

“I think the referee’s call on the pitch, he nailed it, and VAR can only be if it’s clear and obvious. But, I want to speak about us and the mentality coming back.”

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe described the two goals conceded as “hugely disappointing” following a strong display throughout the game.

He said: “We’re hugely frustrated with ourselves really. That was a game where we had to work really hard for the first goal.

“I thought we were the dominant team, knocking on the door through the first half.

“The goal came when it came and felt then we were in a strong position having been relatively comfortable defensively to them.

“To concede the two goals in the way that we did is hugely disappointing because we pride ourselves on being better than that defensively.”

Asked about the penalty decision, Howe replied: “I’ve just seen it again, the defender doesn’t look at the ball, he’s just focused on Dan and Dan goes down, so I can see why it was given.”

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday confirmed the schedule for Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka in January 2026, where the team will play a three-match T20I series as part of preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

All three matches are set to be played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium (RDICS) in Dambulla on January 7, 9, and 11.

According to the PCB, the series will provide Pakistan with crucial match practice ahead of next year’s global tournament.

Pakistan has been drawn in Group A for the T20 World Cup, with all their matches scheduled to be played in Colombo.

The tournament will take place from February 7 to March 8, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

The announcement comes as the Men in Green wrapped up a successful 2025 cricket season, finishing home series victories over South Africa and Sri Lanka.

Pakistan first hosted South Africa in October, winning both the three-match T20I and ODI series 2-1.

They then defeated Sri Lanka 3-0 in a three-match ODI series, before claiming the title in the T20I tri-series involving Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, which concluded recently.

During the busy calendar, the national men’s team lost just three matches one ODI and two T20Is while winning all four series.

Following the conclusion of the home season, the green shirts will enjoy a month-long break.

After the Sri Lanka tour, Pakistan are expected to host Australia for a T20I series, which will conclude shortly before the 20-over World Cup.

Pakistan T20I Tour of Sri Lanka Schedule:

1st T20I: 7 January 2026, Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium

2nd T20I: 9 January 2026, Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium

3rd T20I: 11 January 2026, Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium

Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona are all keen on Eintracht Frankfurt left back Nathaniel Brown, while Atlético Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher could leave the club in January, which has United interested. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

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TRENDING RUMORS

– Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona are all keen on signing Eintracht Frankfurt left back Nathaniel Brown, according to Florian Plettenberg. Madrid in particular have sent scouts to watch the 22-year-old in action against Cologne and Atalanta, and the Germany international could be set to leave the Bundesliga in the summer of 2026 after what has been a breakout season. Brown won his first full international cap in October, and his crossing ability and attacking runs have earmarked him as one of the most exciting full backs in the German league. Eintracht are reported to be seeking a fee of around €60 million.

– Manchester United, Newcastle United, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur are all interested in signing Atlético Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher in January, according to Fabrizio Romano. The 25-year-old was a loan target for Manchester United last summer, but Atlético rejected their advances. Now, though, Atletico could be open to a €30m permanent deal, while Gallagher himself is looking for a move to advance his chances of featuring for England at the World Cup next summer. Gallagher was not seen as a top priority in the last window, but United boss Ruben Amorim is likely to be at the front of the queue in January.

– Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford is considering leaving the club after just five months, following the subsequent arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma, according to The Daily Mail. Fellow City backup keeper Stefan Ortega is also contemplating his future, with both keen for more first-team action. Trafford, 23, arrived from Burnley for £27 million in the summer but hasn’t played a Premier League game since Donnarumma signed from Paris Saint-Germain on transfer deadline day. Trafford had hoped his move would help him land the England No. 1 jersey, but now his place in the squad is in jeopardy because of his lack of game time. Newcastle were linked previously and could be first in line for the former Burnley man when the transfer window opens.

– Arsenal are considering a move for versatile Borussia Dortmund forward Karim Adeyemi, according to The Mirror. The Gunners are looking for further attacking reinforcements and the 23-year-old could be available next summer before his contract runs out in 2027. Dortmund value the striker’s transfer at around €80 million after he racked up 28 goal contributions in his past 56 appearances, grabbing three goals and six assists so far in 2025-26. Adeyemi can play anywhere along the front line, with Chelsea and Manchester United also interested.

– Barcelona boss Hansi Flick is keen to reunite with Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck, having given him his debut for the Germany national team, according to Mundo Deportivo. Schlotterbeck, 26, has so far decided against extending his contract at Dortmund, which is due to expire in 2027, meaning he is likely to leave the club next summer. Bayern Munich are keen on signing him, but Dortmund are unwilling to let him go to their league rivals. That leaves Barcelona and Real Madrid as favorites to make a move, though Liverpool are also reported to be interested.

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OTHER RUMORS

– Manchester United and Chelsea are both in talks to sign 17-year-old center back Luis Eduardo from Gremio after he starred for Brazil at the recent U17 World Cup. (Transfermarkt)

– Tottenham Hotspur are keen on Manchester United midfield targets Carlos Baleba (Brighton) and Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace), but the Londoners are aware that both transfers could come with challenging fees upward of £100 million. (TEAMtalk)

– Aston Villa and Sunderland are among the clubs hoping to land 19-year-old Rangers star Bailey Rice on a free transfer this summer. (Daily Mail)

– Sunderland are keen to land former Arsenal midfielder Matteo Guendouzi from Lazio, with the 26-year-old hoping to return to the Premier League (iNews)

– Newcastle United goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos has indicated that he would like to make permanent his current loan move to Sevilla, despite having two years left on his contract at St James’s Park. (Marca)

– Inter Milan lead a number of European clubs in their interest in Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi, who is contracted until 2028. (Rudy Galetti)

– Inter Milan center back Stefan de Vrij, 33, is a target for Nottingham Forest and is out of contract in the summer. Football Insider)

– Former Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos is eyeing a return to Europe following the end of his contract with Mexican club Monterrey, with AC Milan interested in signing the 39-year-old defender. (Calciomercato)

– AC Milan are keen on signing prolific striker Jean-Philippe Mateta from Crystal Palace, who has indicated that he could be interested in a move away from the Premier League. (TalkSPORT)

– English clubs have joined Juventus, Inter and AC Milan in their admiration of Cagliari goalkeeper Elia Caprile. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

– Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jobe Bellingham could leave the club after just five months and French side Paris FC are interested, though Dortmund would only consider a loan. (Mirror)