Looking at Tottenham’s best and worst performers in their 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United
Tottenham Hotspur were condemned to their first defeat of the new Premier League season by Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Sunday. Big Ange’s side looked stronger for the majority of the game, but they failed to make the chances count and punish the home side.
It was Newcastle United who took the lead in the 38th-minute through Harvey Barnes, who smartly finished past the diving Guglielmo Vicario. Tottenham finally got their reward for applying relentless pressure after the interval when Dan Burn turned substitute Brennan Johnson’s cross-shot into his own net.
From that point on, there looked likely to be one winner as Nick Pope’s goal was bombarded with shots, but Spurs were hit with a 77th-minute sucker punch when Alexander Isak scored the winner on the break.
With that said, let us take a look at Tottenham’s 2 stars and 2 flops in their 2-1 defeat to Newcastle.
Stars
1. Brennan Johnson
With a goal down at half time, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou decided to make an attacking substitution by bringing on Brennan Johnson for Pape Sarr, who had picked up a yellow card.
Brennan Johnson made a telling impact after coming on at the break. He looked a real threat every time he got the ball on the right flank, causing Newcastle left-back Lloyd Kelly all kinds of problems. The Welshman exploited the spaces behind a tiring Newcastle backline with his rapid pace and directness.
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The 23-year-old delivered some tantalizing crosses into the box but Tottenham had no striker in there to finish them. Johnson reacted quickly to turn Nick Pope’s save across goal that Dan Burn booted into his own net. He was guilty of missing a chance of his own by lifting his shot over the bar.
2. James Maddison
James Maddison was the creative outlet for Spurs. Most of the visitors’ attacks went through him as the England international picked up smart positions in the middle of the park.
He made the most use of the free role given by Big Ange, dropping deep when required to link up play and get his team moving. When Maddison started to play with more meticulousness, Spurs looked dangerous. It was his effort which Pope parried away for Johnson to force Burn into his own goal.
If the Lilywhites had a presence up front, Maddison could’ve easily ended the game with a pair of assists.
Flops
1. Destiny Udogie
Destiny Udogie is a crucial member of the Spurs set up under Big Ange but he wasn’t at his best at St James’ Park.
Being an enterprising left-back, it was not surprising to see him in unusual attacking positions trying to impact the game. However, that left vacant spaces down the left for the likes of Murphy and Isak to exploit.
The Italian often struggled positionally while defending. Needless to say, Udogie gave away an unnecessary free-kick which eventually led to the Magpies’ opening goal.
2. Wilson Odobert
Wilson Odobert earned a start against Newcastle after a promising debut outing in the 4-0 home thrashing of Everton. He began the game on the right flank, looking to cause problems for left-back Kelly.
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The young Frenchman switched flanks after the break where he looked more comfortable. However, Odobert drilled his shot wide of the near post when he should’ve at least made Pope work, before missing a chance after the interval. He just wasn’t at it and Big Ange decided to take the winger off in the 74th-minute.
