The rescue act capped a frenetic finale in which the visitors twice fell behind and twice found answers, with the Hungarian midfielder converting from the spot after Lewis Hall brought down Victor Munoz in the penalty area deep into added time — a moment of high drama that denied the Magpies a debut victory under their new era following Eddie Howe’s departure.
Newcastle had made the brighter start and looked threatening from the first whistle. Anthony Elanga opened the scoring in just the fifth minute, finishing off a brilliant assist from William Osula to give the hosts an early advantage that reflected the intensity and directness of their performance in the opening exchanges.
Newcastle had made the brighter start and looked threatening from the first whistle. Anthony Elanga opened the scoring in just the fifth minute, finishing off a brilliant assist from William Osula to give the hosts an early advantage that reflected the intensity and directness of their performance in the opening exchanges.
Liverpool equalised after the break when Cody Gakpo converted a well-delivered pass from his Dutch international teammate Ryan Gravenberch, restoring parity and appearing to shift the momentum of the contest.
The equaliser lasted less than two minutes before Newcastle struck again — Joseph Willock producing an incredible curled effort from a smooth pass by Yoane Wissa to restore the lead and put the Magpies back in a winning position with time running out for the visitors to respond.
The intervention arrived at the moment Liverpool needed it most, and it ensured Iraola’s side opened their campaign without a defeat despite a performance that lacked the dominance their unbeaten run might suggest.
The intervention arrived at the moment Liverpool needed it most, and it ensured Iraola’s side opened their campaign without a defeat despite a performance that lacked the dominance their unbeaten run might suggest.
The result means both clubs leave the opening weekend with a point rather than the three Newcastle had looked on course to claim.
Elsewhere across Sunday’s Premier League fixtures, Manchester City completed a late comeback after Marcus Tavernier had given the visitors a first-half lead from Evanilson’s cross. Manager Enzo Maresca introduced Rayan Cherki after the interval, and the substitute produced two assists for Marc Guehi and Josko Gvardiol to seal a 2-1 victory and begin City’s campaign with a statement recovery.
At the Amex Stadium, Aston Villa suffered a torrid opening-day collapse, losing 4-0 to Brighton after Joao Gomes was sent off following a challenge on Georginio Rutter, leaving Unai Emery’s side with a man disadvantage and a scoreline that captured the full scale of how badly the afternoon deteriorated for the Champions League runners-up.
The story and the wider opening-weekend results paint a picture of a Premier League season that has already produced exactly the unpredictability and competitiveness the competition promises every August.
The story and the wider opening-weekend results paint a picture of a Premier League season that has already produced exactly the unpredictability and competitiveness the competition promises every August.
Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Coventry, Hull City’s stunning defeat of Manchester United, City’s late comeback, and Liverpool’s injury-time equaliser in Tyneside — all in the same weekend — make a compelling early case that the 2026-27 title race will be among the most contested in years.
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