Tottenham have not moved on from last season to leave fans impatient
Tottenham fell to a frustrating 2-1 defeat at St. James’ Park, as Alexander Isak’s 78th-minute winner completed a Newcastle smash-and-grab win.
The Magpies started the game well but were soon pegged back by the visitors, who peppered Nick Pope’s goal with long-range efforts in the first half.
But with half-time approaching, Spurs switched off from a throw-in and Harvey Barnes’ smart finish gave Newcastle the lead against the run of play.
The introduction of Brennan Johnson for Pape Matar Sarr at the interval gave Spurs more bite in the final third, and Dan Burn turned the ball into his own net after the winger’s effort was parried by a prone Pope.
But as Ange Postecoglou’s side pushed for the winner, Jacob Murphy raced behind Spurs’ high line and squared for Isak to score.
Here are three Spurs talking points from the match…
Getty Images
Spurs undone by familiar failings
This was both a frustrating and familiar first defeat of the season for Tottenham, who had the lion’s share of possession and chances but conceded against the run of play in each half.
Spurs lacked a cutting edge in the final third, failed to take their chances when they did come and switched off for both goals. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
The 1-1 draw at Leicester on the opening day broadly followed the same pattern, meaning Spurs go into the international break with just four points from a possible nine – and Arsenal up next.
Both Newcastle goals felt like a consequence of their high-risk approach, with Cristian Romero caught out of possession for Barnes’ slick finish before a tired Spurs defensive line – which was missing Micky van de Ven – was caught out by Murphy for Isak’s winner.
Though all three of their performances this season have been encouraging for long periods, Spurs are continuing to fine-tune Postecoglou’s football.
It is, relatively speaking, still early days in the manager’s transformation of the club and it is always risky judging a side in August.
But, as it stands, Spurs are still displaying many of the same shortcomings as last season, suggesting supporters will have to remain patient.
Spurs dominated but lost two goals on the counter
Getty Images
Spurs miss a centre-forward
Heung-min Son played up-front in Spurs’ 4-0 defeat at St. James’ Park last season and the visitors desperately struggled to hold up the ball.
Perhaps remembering that failing, Postecoglou started Dejan Kulusevski as a false 9 this time, with Son back on the left wing.
Kulusevski is outstanding off the ball but as a centre-forward, he lacks a presence in the box and Spurs were restricted to long-range efforts in the first half.
It was no surprise when Postecoglou introduced Johnson at half-time, moved Kulusevski to midfield and put Son back through the middle.
Johnson forced the equaliser by reacting sharply when Pope spilled James Maddison’s shot but Spurs continued to lack bite and a cutting edge, with a number of the winger’s low crosses going to waste.
In the end, Spurs finished with 20 shots but Pope made just six saves and they squandered a number of great openings.
Son and Kulusevski both offer Postecoglou welcome versatility but neither is a natural centre-forward, and Spurs desperately missed Dominic Solanke and Richarlison at St. James’.
Postecoglou is expecting Solanke, at least, to be fit after the international break and, just a few weeks into his Spurs career, the £65million signing already feels vital to his new club.
Spurs will rue missed opportunities once again
REUTERS
Dragusin assured but Spurs still frail defensively
At the other end, Spurs missed the pace of van de Ven – not deemed fit enough to start after jarring his knee against Everton last weekend – against Newcastle’s speedy front line.
You wonder if the Dutchman may have been able to catch Murphy, as he ran clear to set up a simple tap for Isak’s winner.
His replacement Radu Dragusin did well enough, racing back to tackle Barnes and Isak either side of the interval, but van de Ven is a unique defender, whose absence is always felt.
Destiny Udogie, meanwhile, continues to look short of sharpness after missing pre-season as he recovered from injury and the left-back faded in the final half-hour, underlined when he lost balance as he tried to race back to catch Murphy.
The lack of cover for the Italian this season is surely something of a worry for Postecoglou.
Van de Ven should be back against Arsenal, which will be a relief to all Spurs fans, but their frailty at the back remains a concern.
Failing to convert pressure into chances would be less of a failing if they could occasionally keep a clean sheet on the road.