Spurs had been staring at a sixth defeat in eight matches before their captain intervened in spectacular fashion after Newcastle United failed to clear a late corner.

Romero had already played a crucial role earlier in the contest, cancelling out Bruno Guimaraes' second-half opener with a well-taken equaliser.

Newcastle, who had been on course for a third successive league victory, regained the advantage late on when substitute Anthony Gordon converted from the penalty spot.

Tottenham were left furious with the decision, with VAR instructing referee Tom Bramall to check the pitch-side monitor. After review, Bramall determined that Rodrigo Bentancur had pulled Dan Burn to the ground, awarding the hosts a penalty that looked set to decide the match.

"It was an absolute mistake from the VAR," said Spurs boss Thomas Frank.

"The referee did good to do the ref call and they encourage the refereeing call on the pitch. For me, that is 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."

However, Spurs showed resilience in the closing stages, pushing forward in search of a response. Their persistence was rewarded deep into stoppage time when Romero acrobatically levelled, sparking jubilant celebrations in the away end.

The point ensures Frank's side remain above Newcastle in the league standings, with Spurs currently occupying 11th place as they attempt to stabilise an inconsistent campaign.

"I think 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 and knocking on the door all through the first half," said Newcastle boss Eddie Howe.

"The goal came when it came and I felt then we were in a strong position having been relatively comfortable defensively to then concede the two goals in the way that we did, in the manner that we did. It's hugely disappointing because we pride ourselves on being better than that defensively.

"Technically, second half, I don't think we were particularly good, especially when we were leading. When you're leading and you've got the advantage, one or two really quality passes in different moments can make the difference and we went the other way."

Pitso Mosimane defends Bafana big guns Percy Tau and Lyle Foster amid criticism