Pochettino: We didn't do enough

Mauricio Pochettino admitted Spurs didn’t do enough, despite having 80 per cent of possession, to beat Newcastle at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this afternoon.

Geordie summer signing Joelinton scored the only goal of the game as Newcastle soaked up the pressure at the other end – and rode their luck when a late VAR decision turned down Spurs’ penalty appeals.

Pochettino said: “We conceded a very cheap goal in the first half. They were very well organised with a good defensive line and very compact.

“We didn’t work enough to break down their organisation. We created some chances but to be honest not enough, we cannot justify our performance, we should play better with more desire, more capacity, be more aggressive with the ball.”

Spurs could have had a penalty 12 minutes from time when Harry Kane initially appeared to be dragged down in the box, but Pochettino accepted the decision, saying: “I trust and am fully committed to VAR.

“Before I was a critic but now we all accept the rules and that VAR is here to help the referee to make better decisions, and of course when it does go for us I am happy, but when it goes against us I have to respect it.”