Tottenham Hotspur and Ange Postecoglou are having a torrid time so far in recent weeks. Injuries have taken a real toll on the team and the Aussie tactician is forced to get creative to find a backline with each passing game.
The experienced coach would have been hoping for the turn of 2025 to bring some good luck for his team and facing an in-form Newcastle United side was never going to be easy on paper. That’s how the game played out too.
Spurs made a bright start to the game with Pedro Porro perfectly finding Dominic Solanke in the box to give his side the lead. However, Newcastle hit straight back after a sloppy pass from Lucas Bergvall with Anthony Gordon putting the finishing touches.
The Magpies led through Alexander Isak late in the first half. The second half started on a familiar note, with both teams going at each other. Tottenham continued to knock on the door but the Newcastle defence proved to be resolute and it ended in another loss for Ange.
Here is how we think Tottenham players fared in the match against Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday.
Tottenham Starting XI
Brandon Austin: 6/10
Handed a rare start with both Vicario and Forster out. Looked solid on most occasions and couldn’t have done much about either goal. Too early to say deserves more chances?
Pedro Porro: 8/10
Tottenham’s best player on the pitch, Pedro Porro was at his inventive best. Got forward at every given opportunity and looked the part defensively as well.
Radu Dragusin: 4/10
Looked shaky at best. Taken off after 45 minutes. Another injury worry for Spurs?
Archie Gray: 6/10
Solid in central defence. Not afraid to put his body on the line. Doing an admirable job in a position very unnatural to him.
Djed Spence: 7/10
Spence the footballer seems to have grown leaps and bounds. Had a decent showing on the left and looked even better after moving into the centre-back position in the second half.
Lucas Bergvall: 7/10
Handed a rare start. It was his misplaced pass that led to the Newcastle goal but hardly put a foot wrong apart from that one instance. Tried to make things happen and walked off to applause from the N17.
Pape Matar Sarr: 4/10
Failed to control the game and could not threaten Newcastle’s goal despite a number of long-range attempts.
Dejan Kulusevski: 7/10
Mr. Consistent. The Swede continues to impress and he was one of those players who was heavily involved on the night.
Timo Werner: 4/10
A lot of pace, no ammunition. Familiar story with the German.
Brennan Johnson: 5/10
Hardly involved in the game but had a few nice touches including hitting the post once. Failed to hit the target from close out. Wasteful!
Dominic Solanke: 7/10
Scored early on and kept getting involved in the play. Looked pretty good on the night. His hold-up play continues to stand out. Came so close twice to scoring in injury time.
Substitutes
Sergio Reguilon: 5/10
Handed a rare run out in the second half and he didn’t do much, right or wrong. Missed his finishing boots in front of the goal at a crucial juncture.
Son Heung-min: 6/10
Looked very energetic after coming on.
James Maddison: 6.5/10
Similar to Son, tried to prove to his manager why he deserved to start. Almost scored the equaliser for Spurs with an absolute screamer.
Yves Bissouma: 6/10
Did a better job at controlling the temp than Pape Sarr but that isn’t much praise to give on the night.
