Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle Review – Game Week 3

Tottenham XI: Lloris; Walker-Peters, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Rose; Winks, Sissoko; Lamela, Lucas, Son; Kane

Substitutes: Gazzaniga, Davies, Vertonghen, Dier, Skipp, Eriksen, Lo Celso

Newcastle XI: Dubravka, Schar, Lascelles, Dummett, Krafth, Hayden, Saint-Maximin, Longstaff, Ritchie, Almiron, Joelinton.

Substitutes: Shelvey, Muto, Willems, Fernandez, Manquillo, Darlow, Atsu.

So our first defeat of the season 19/20 came from the hands of struggling Newcastle in our own home. Tanguy Ndombele missed the game due to minor thigh injury and Son was slotted directly into starting XI whereas Jan Vertonghen and Christian Eriksen were on the bench again.

Spurs kept the possession from starting of the game but never moved the ball quickly and enjoyed passing back and forward whereas Newcastle enjoyed sitting deep and defending,

We were unable to create a real opportunity in the final third and Son was brought down by Schar’s challenge inside the box but refree Mike Dean ruled it out using VAR. (21^st Minute of the game).

Two minutes later Lloris was called into action as he produced acrobatic save to deny Longstaff from close range which results to Newcastle corner.

From nothing Newcastle created the opportunity and scored, Atsu delivered the perfect chip ball above Spurs defence line and Joelinton made no mistake. Joelinton calmly buried it past the Lloris. (27^th minute)

Spurs first shot of the game came after the half hour mark (33 min) when Dubravka produced a brilliant save to deny Son who fired the volley from the close range.

We just kept the possession unable to penetrate the organized Newcastle defence and was unable to create any other chances. Lucas missed opportunity and volley from Son were the only chance we created during the first half of the game.

Half time: Spurs-0 Newcastle-1

Second half of the game was also similar to first half, Spurs kept possession, passed the ball sideways, tried to make the move but were not finding rhythm and any way to get past through the Newcastle defence.

Walker peters was injured and was replaced by Eriksen whereas Lo Celso replaced Lamela. (63 min)

We were still looking to create chances and suddenly Lo Celso puts the ball in the path of Kane. Kane was making himself ready to shoot but was brought down inside the box by Lascelles. VAR was checked but VAR denied penalty. (79 min)

The clear chance to score came for us when Sissoko crossed the ball in the box and it fell to Lucas. Lucas who was unmarked volleys it and flashes it over the bar. (81 min)

Then there were no any other chances created from Spurs and Newcastle tried some counter but were not able to score. Newcastle defended it so well throughout the game that Spurs were not able to find the back of net and the full time whistle was blown.

Full time: Spurs-0 Newcastle-1

Match Statistics

TOT		NEW
80%	Possession	20%
15	Goal Attempts	5
2	On Target	3
10	Fouls	5
2	Yellow Cards	2
0	Red Cards	0
1	Offsides	4
6	Corner Kicks	6
2	Saves	2

The above stats from the match sums up the whole summary of the game. Spurs kept possession but lacked creativity, they were out of ideas to penetrate the Newcastle defence. Newcastle were comfortable sitting deep and defending, they created few chances and utilized one to score which was enough to upset the homeside.

Mauricio’s view

Manager Mauricio Pochettino lamented: “We need to be better and we should do better. In this type of game when you have the possession and dominate, you cannot concede this type of goal and then you are going to be close to the win. But when you concede you provide the belief to the opponent and then it’s difficult because the Premier League is very tough.

“The opponent got a lot of criticism after (their defeat to) Norwich, but they came here and they were more aggressive than us, that is true.”

Next week we will be back again with review from the first North London Derby of the season.