There were angry scenes on the pitch as emotions boiled over at full-time
Newcastle United's anger and frustration spilled over at full-time after the threw away more Premier League points in devastating fashion.
The Magpies had been on course for a crucial three points before they were stunned by Cristian Romero's stoppage-time equaliser with a stunning bicycle kick after Newcastle failed to properly deal with a set piece.
And Romero's celebration sparked a bust-up at St James' Park after he had mimicked Newcastle skipper Bruno Guimaraes. The Spurs captain scored both of the goals for the visitors.
Guimaraes broke the deadlock in the 71st minute, but Romero quickly hit back. Spurs looked destined for back-to-back defeats until a moment of magic from the defender rescued a point in the 95th minute.
Romero then walked behind the goal, replicating Guimaraes' celebration - placing his hands over his ears before pointing to his name on the back of his shirt.
The celebration prompted a fierce reaction from Newcastle players at the full-time whistle, with disrespect believed to be the issue. It saw plenty of pushing and shoving take place before the players were eventually separated, with Joelinton and Guimaraes having made their feelings known to Romero in particular.
It was a South American spat with the Brazil duo confronting the Argentine. Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario had his say after coming up the field while Tottenham players intervened to stop Romero getting further involved, before taking the acclaim from their travelling fans high up in Level 7.
VAR anger and UFC claim
Newcastle had looked to have won the game following a highly contentious penalty award. Referee Thomas Bramall was sent to the pitchside monitor after VAR spotted Rodrigo Bentancur holding Dan Burn in the penalty box as the hosts took a corner.
It looked like a tussle between the two players in the box as they both fell to the ground and, despite the official not giving the penalty initially, the Spurs midfielder was punished after the review. It delighted Newcastle, but if it had been given the other way there would have been outrage inside St James'.
Premier League match manager said on X the penalty had been awarded because Bentancur "clearly does not look at the ball" while committing a "holding offence".
Thomas Frank hit out after the game, saying: "For me it's never a penalty. Even speaking to some from Newcastle, who didn't think it's a penalty.
"And we need the consistency. Because that penalty, that would be given two times a game. And I think the referee call on the pitch nailed it. And VAR can only be if it's clear and obvious."
Former Tottenham and Newcastle defender Jonathan Woodgate, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, said: "Dan Burn climbed all over him. It's like a heavyweight UFC fighter against a featherweight."
Set-piece shambles
The fact that the Spurs equaliser came from a set-play came as little surprise. Newcastle struggled all night from deadball situations, both defensively and in attack. The first half in particular saw poor delivery from Sandro Tonali and Lewis Hall and it didn't improve much after the interval.
It was a point not lost on Howe afterwards when he addressed the media.
"I don’t think we were particularly good on set plays in either box," he lamented. "A far cry from the set piece dominance we enjoyed in the win over Everton.”