4 January 2025
Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2
Tottenham faced Newcastle in North London, following the trend of so many on social media taking the mentality ‘new year, new me’. Ange Postecoglou is fed up with being quizzed on his tactics and his side’s performances this season, no doubt he was hoping to see a different side to his team in 2025. The Magpies were in good form and looking to add the hosts to their list of scalps.
Forster was out with a virus, much to the delight of fans and manager alike. The keeper has been culpable for some big errors of late, making you wonder whether Postecoglou had been gifting him virus-laden blankets much as the early settlers did the Indians in America. Either way, Austin came in between the sticks with most people asking themselves ‘who’s that?’
The hosts made the perfect start as Porro swung a first-time cross into the box for Solanke to convert with a diving header. It all looked so easy from Spurs as The Magpies fell behind before they could even find their bearings in the capital. Despite Maddison and Son being relegated to the bench, the hosts seemed to have no creativity issues.
Postecoglou’s side then created their own problems in the capital. Trying to play out from the back, Bergvall gave the ball away and Guimaraes played it into the path of Gordon. He converted superbly from a tight angle to equalise for The Magpies only two minutes after conceding. Both scorers in this game will have done their England chances no harm with Tuchel in the stands watching.
Spurs felt they should have had a free-kick for the handball from Joelinton, especially Bergvall. However, the reality is that the Brazilian’s hand was in a perfectly-natural position and he had done nothing wrong. If you ever wondered what ‘ball to hand’ was, simply watch this goal as the easiest explanation of the term there ever could be.
As the visitors steamed forward once again, it was a case of deja vu. Gordon once again had a carbon copy situation from his first goal. This time, the winger tried to beat Austin at his near-post but the keeper made a smart save to keep Spurs on level terms. He was being tested by the attacking threat of The Magpies, particularly at corners as they targeted the inexperienced keeper.
Having been booked for a cynical foul earlier on Solanke, Burn prevented a Spurs’ attack as he handled the ball on the halfway line. The hosts wanted to see a second yellow card but the referee was having none of it. These are the moments that can tip the scales in any game, Howe needed to consider the precarious situation of his centre-back.
The visitors should have taken the lead when Murphy put a teasing ball into the box but in-form Isak directed it wide of the far post. Gordon was fuming as he felt the Swede should have left it to him as he was completely unmarked at the far post and would have had the simplest of tap-ins. Fine margins once again in North London.
Gordon then won the ball out wide and The Magpies worked it well as they looked to pressure the Spurs’ backline. Murphy crossed for Isak to slot home and give the visitors the lead in the game, which immediately silenced the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Once again they found themselves opened up far too easily in defence.
After the interval, there seemed to be a spring in the step of the hosts. Sarr tried his luck with an effort from outside the box but Dubravka got down well to make the save with Johnson was lurking at the far post. His shot came crashing back off the woodwork with the home fans wondering whether it was going to be another ‘Spursy’ day in the capital.
Then came one of the most contentious moments in this clash. As The Magpies were on the attack, Gordon picked the ball up in the box. He looked to cut back onto his right foot as the advancing Kulusevski clattered him, with his shoulder driving into the face of the winger. It left the former Everton man bloodied and probably the now proud owner of a broken nose for his troubles.
VAR checked the incident and decided that it was to be deemed as ‘an accidental collision’ between the pair. Not that it will make Gordon feel any better tomorrow when he wakes up with a face that feels like it has gone a couple of rounds with Usyk overnight. The decision that needed to be made by officials is so down to personal perception that you could see the argument for it going either way.
Maddison almost got his side back on level terms when he tried to bend one in the far corner. Dubravka was well-beaten but sadly so was the far post. Ironically, it almost took out a little girl behind the goal holding a sign asking for the player’s top. Isn’t it amazing how good their writing is on these cards for their age? No parents flogging match-worn jerseys online at all here officer.
You could be forgiven for thinking there were armed gunman at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium such is the regularity of fans, players and even the manager standing with their hands on their heads. They continued to create half-chances but were finding The Magpies a tough nut to crack. Howe’s side have Champions League qualification on their minds once again.
Barnes had come off the bench for the visitors and should have put the game to bed. His flicked finish was well-saved by Austin as he tipped it around the post. He was the one shining light in a disappointing result, leading to him getting the man of the match award. The Magpies held on for all three points to move to within one point of Chelsea in fourth place.
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