Ngumoha, 16, the hero: This Premier League classic shows youngsters deserve a chance

What a game that was! A proper Premier League encounter that embodied everything we love about English football. It was physical, packed with fouls, technical brilliance, passion, aggression, and drama. The fight Newcastle showed in front of their home fans after going 2-0 down was a testament to the mentality instilled by Eddie Howe in this side. The Isak-Ekitike partnership made the atmosphere even more electric, with both players bringing intensity and quality to the proceedings.

However, the match took a dramatic turn when acting centre-forward Gordon received his marching orders for a nasty challenge on Virgil van Dijk. Ryan Gravenberch had already given Liverpool the lead in the first half before that incident. Despite Newcastle dominating large portions of the game, they still found themselves trailing.

Later, from the second-half kick-off, Ekitike of all people doubled Liverpool’s advantage, seemingly putting the visitors in complete control. But this is Newcastle at St. James’ Park — they don’t know when they’re beaten. Even with ten men, the Magpies roared back to level the score through Bruno Guimaraes and substitute Osula, sending the packed stadium into raptures.

But football has a funny way of crushing dreams, doesn’t it? Just as Newcastle looked set to complete one of the great comebacks, up stepped a kid who wasn’t even born when some of these players started their careers. Rio Ngumoha, all of 16 years and 361 days old, broke Newcastle hearts and etched his name into Liverpool folklore with a finish that belied his tender years.

This Cobham product had a decision to make in September 2024. Chelsea desperately wanted to keep him, but the teenager believed he had a better pathway at Liverpool and made the bold move to Anfield. With Chelsea seemingly more focused on giving pathways to players from other academies rather than their own, it appears to have been a wise choice from the young talent.

He had impressed during pre-season, and when Arne Slot decided to throw him into the final moments to change the game, he delivered spectacularly. What a strike it was! Salah’s perfectly weighted pass, Szoboszlai’s clever dummy, and then the first-time finish from the 16-year-old — poetry in motion.

Records tumbled as the packed St. James’ Park fell silent. Ngumoha became the fourth youngest scorer in Premier League history, writing his name into Liverpool folklore while stunning the Geordie faithful.

The magical moment came in the 100th minute, making Ngumoha not just Liverpool’s youngest-ever scorer, but also only the second 16-year-old to hit a winner in a Premier League game.

The first? Wayne Rooney, with his wonder goal for Everton against Arsenal in 2002 — a reminder that sometimes football’s most special moments come from its youngest stars stepping up when it matters most. Managers have to give the kids a chance. We have to give the flowers to Arne Slot for doing the same.