Tottenham Hotspur tasted defeat for the first time in the Premier League with the side dropping a 2-1 contest at Newcastle United on Sunday.
Coming into St. James’ Park with the flashbacks to the previous two seasons where the Toon side had their way with Spurs in 6-1 and 4-0 wins, Spurs came out a little awkwardly in the first 20 minutes before an injury to an assistant ref seemed to calm the game down for Spurs.
From then, it was a strong press from Spurs that kept Newcastle on the backfoot before a bad lapse of getting back into defending on a throw-in the 34th minute put Newcastle in the lead.
Throwing the ball quickly into play and getting Lloyd Kelly into the left wing with a delivery through the legs of James Maddison, the cross found a streaking Harvey Barnes in the middle of the box for a first time strike to go far post for a 1-0 lead.
Trailing at the half, Spurs made a change of Brennan Johnson coming on for Pape Sarr — who picked up a yellow — and the attack/press had strong moments as they did in the first half.
The first chance coming from Johnson to the back post on a deflection saw Wilson Odobert stuck in between going for a high volley with his leg out and the ball ending up hitting his knee just outside the post.
- Being strong in opportunities, Spurs got the equalizer on an own goal from Dan Burn that was intentionally saved from Nick Pope on a follow up shot from Johnson that went off the finger tips of the Newcastle keeper.
Bringing life back into the game and sensing an opportunity to get the winning goal, Spurs showed their old self under Ange Postecoglou of failing to bury in the chances.
Seeing shots from outside the box hitting the post, tipped over the bar, or near misses, the question began to circle of — can this team ever score a chance that they create in and around the box?
A lot of that will come true as Dominic Solanke and Richarlison get back into the side, but for now, the chances missed hurt Spurs yet again.
Missing the chances to grab the game and solidify three points, a bad highland once more hurt Spurs.
Newcastle’s Joelinton broke a press by leaving Maddison in the dust and sending a tough ball through the middle of the channel for Jacob Murphy. Having Destiny Udogie a step behind him and Guglielmo Vicario starting to come out of his box, Murphy slotted a ball across the six-yard box for Alexander Isak to tap-in the eventual match winner in the 78th minute.
Notes:
- Despite the defeat Radu Dragusin was stellar as he came in for Micky van de Ven, playing both sides of the defense and putting in saving challenges to keep the game in striking distance. Dragusin will be upset with him missing a header at the back post but overall he was slotted in nicely.
- Spurs press looked the best it had in months for a majority of the game, but tired legs hurt the team yet again
- Another upsetting defeat knowing the team could have buried this game and secured three points. Something needs to change in putting balls into the back of the net. Seems simple enough
- For the longest time, the chances came from outside the box with Pedro Porro hitting the crossbar or Sarr hitting low drives for Pope to save. The international break allows Solanke and Richarlison to get back into fitness before a big North London Derby.
- 3-5-7 in last 15 PL away games, this state was mind boggling but with the injury crisis last year and inability to put games away, it makes sense
- Sorry folks, the last three trips to Newcastle I’ve been the match reporter, maybe it’s me. I hold my hands up. Please don’t destroy me this time… all love
