Tottenham Hotspur’s difficult start to the Premier League season continued on Saturday as they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Newcastle United. The result marks a second successive loss for Roberto De Zerbi’s side, who have now failed to score in their opening two league fixtures for the first time since the 1992-93 campaign.
The match saw Newcastle manager Matthias Jaissle secure his first Premier League victory. This follows his recent appointment as the successor to Eddie Howe and an opening 2-2 draw against Liverpool. For De Zerbi, the loss is particularly chastening given the club’s significant investment of over £300 million ($406 million) during the close-season to overhaul a squad that narrowly avoided relegation last term.
Despite a midweek 5-1 League Cup victory over Charlton, Tottenham looked lacklustre throughout the match. Newcastle nearly took the lead in the opening minute through an Anthony Elanga lob, which was cleared just before crossing the line. Tottenham responded with a period of pressure, forcing Newcastle goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek to make several saves, including efforts from Andrew Robertson and Jan Paul van Hecke.
New signing Omar Marmoush made his debut for Tottenham after arriving on loan from Manchester City, though he struggled to influence the game. Tottenham were also without recent arrival Savio, who missed the fixture due to a muscular injury. Midfielder Sandro Tonali, making his first appearance against his former club since a £100 million transfer in July, was frequently taunted by Newcastle supporters and missed a significant chance to score just before halftime.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 62nd minute. Elanga, who also scored against Liverpool, controlled a cushioned header from Amar Dedic before turning and firing a clinical finish into the net. Tottenham’s frustration grew as they unsuccessfully appealed for a penalty after Malick Thiaw challenged Marmoush early in the second half.
Newcastle sealed the win in the 72nd minute when Yoane Wissa scored with a clever over-the-shoulder flick. The goal came after Nick Woltemade directed a corner toward the DR Congo international, effectively ending Tottenham’s hopes of a comeback. As the final whistle approached, frustrated home fans began leaving the stadium, and Tonali was substituted amid jeers from the visiting supporters. The report also notes that whose expensively assembled team suffered an embarrassing 3-0 defeat at Brentford in the opening game of the season last weekend, it was another chastening result for De Zerbi. The report also notes that a 5-1 rout of Championship side Charlton in the League Cup second round in midweek proved a false dawn for woeful Tottenham. The report also notes that mathys Tel’s curler from the edge of the area was clawed away by Newcastle keeper Lukas Hornicek. The report also notes that pedro Porro and Marmoush both volleyed narrowly wide in quick succession after Newcastle failed to deal with testing corners. The report also notes that the Italian squandered a golden opportunity to silence the Newcastle jibes when he scuffed wide from close range on the stroke of half-time. The report also notes that hornicek tipped Porro’s strike over the bar as Tottenham tried to vain to mount a response. The report also notes that providing a fitting coda to a dispiriting afternoon for Tottenham, Tonali was hauled off with the jeers of the Toon Army ringing in his ears in the closing stages.
