Geordies' defensive masterclass downs Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur 0

Newcastle United 1

A laboured Tottenham were beaten at home by winless Newcastle this afternoon, Geordie summer signing Joelinton scoring the only goal of the game for the 11-1 outsiders.

Spurs had the majority of the possession throughout but did little with it, lacking creativity even when Christian Eriksen was introduced midway through the second half.

And even VAR, their friend last week at the Etihad when a late Manchester City goal was chalked off, couldn’t save them this, Harry Kane’s late appeal for a penalty turned down with just minutes remaining.

Spurs had the better of the possession, but did little with it, with Kane having just two touches in the first 20 minutes.

Midway through the first half the game began to open up in an increasingly hot stadium.

First Spurs had what looked at first sight like a good shout for a penalty, but replays showed referee Mike Dean got it just right – Fabian Schar’s toe getting to the ball in the nick of time before Heung-Min Son could poke it past him.

At the other end, Joelinton, Steve Bruce’s £40m summer signing from Hoffenheim, began to cause Spurs problems.

First he held the ball up and played in Sean Longstaff, whose shot was excellently tipped over by Hugo Lloris. Then, minutes later he controlled substitute Christian Atsu’s left wing cross with his left foot and, unchallenged, stroked it past Lloris with his right.

The goal brought Spurs to life. Son, back for Spurs after a three-match ban, caught Kyle Walker-Peters’ cross full on the volley, but his shot was well saved by Martin Dubravka.

Then Paul Dummett headed the ball away as Lucas Moura readied himself to head home.

And on the stroke of half-time Dubravka was caught in no-man’s land when he flapped at Kane’s cross from the left, but Moura poked wide under pressure with the goal at his mercy.

The second half began as the first had – with Spurs bossing possession but Newcastle holding firm at the back – the home side lacking real quality.

Then Newcastle broke away but Atsu’s cross was volleyed into the turf by Joelinton.

Midway through the second period Moura, substitute Giovani Lo Celso and Son all shot tamely for Spurs before the big VAR moment – we seem to have at least one every game and you can make up your own minds as to whether that is a good thing.

Jamaal Lascelles appeared to throw his body at the feet of Harry Kane, seemingly dragging him down, but the VAR officials, after what seemed like an age, finally said no.

Spurs huffed and puffed, and Moura missed another golden opportunity from Moussa Sissoko’s cross, but in truth they never really looked like blowing the Newcastle house down, and the biggest cheer form the home fans came from those on the concourses pre-match when Ben Stokes hit the winning runs for England in the Test Match..

The Geordies took home all three points – and their expert defensive display deserved it.

Spurs: Lloris, Walker-Peters (Eriksen), Alderweireld, Sanchez, Rose (Yellow, Davies), Winks (yellow), Sissoko, Son, Lamela (LoCelso), Moura, Kane

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

Newcastle: Dubravka, Dummett, Lascelles (Fernandez), Schar, Ritchie (Yellow), Longstaff, Saint-Maximin (Atsu), Hayden, Krafth, Joelinton, Almiron

Subs: Darlow, Shevey, Muto, Willems, Fernandez, Manquillo, Atsu

Referee: Michael Dean

Attendance: 59,245