For Newcastle United to get three points against Spurs after such a poor home display, actually beggared belief.
Saying that, the two goals we did score by the Barnestormer and the Rolls Royce, were both sublime in their build up and execution.
Eddie Howe started with both Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon and I really liked the look of the side before kick-off.
I would have preferred Sandro Tonali in midfield ahead of Sean Longstaff but our manager sees these players every day in training and I don’t.
Before the game I had stated on The Mag that I didn’t have any qualms regarding our goalkeeping department. Yet against Spurs, Nick Pope had the demeanor of a man with a nervous disposition.
He made a couple of decent stops that I would have expected him to save anyway. Spurs’ equaliser though was very much a case of poor judgement, as Pope decided to parry the ball straight to the feet of Spurs substitute Brennan Johnson.
As the North London side began piling forward and the Toon’s midfield and rearguard continually made mistakes and gifted them the ball, all I could see coming was a second Tottenham goal.
Wor Graeme, Neale and Bernie were at St James’ Park (and Neale had dropped the Independent North Shields Supporters Association £3+ Grand charity jackpot on Saturday),
I was with Auld Ellas in Tynemouth Club and as the game wore on, the atmosphere was tense to say the least. No one was having a go at the team, but it was obvious that the locals were confused, as to why we were playing so deep and without any collective cohesion.
I often worry that Bruno Guimaraes takes a touch or two too many. When Sandro Tonali entered the fray he is the total opposite, prefers to zip the ball away to feet with the utmost precision.
With our backs to the wall it needed someone to grab the bull by the horns and who better than our strapping samba star Joelinton.
Picking the ball up midway in our own half on the left, he jinked inside and took the ball away from his marker so that he was in a central position and facing towards the Spurs goal.
With our forwards holding their line perfectly, Joelinton then found the inch perfect pass to split Tottenham’s high line.
Jacob Murphy, who had come on for Barnes, was away and as he entered the 18 yard box, he unselfishly laid the ball across for Alexander Isak to nudge in his first of the season.
I could hardly believe it after the way we had been playing. The club erupted and you could almost hear the collective sighs of relief as we all gathered our glasses to take a sip and gather our composure.
After the game finished I went hyem and reflected on what I had just watched. I came to the conclusion that we were bloody lucky BUT should finish above a tactically naive Spurs this season.
We are unbeaten so far at the beginning of this 2024/25 EPL season (two home wins and an away draw) and have knocked our Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest out of the Carabao Cup at the City Ground.
We have hardly got out of second gear in doing so and for once I’m going to welcome an international break.
Before I retreated to bed, I couldn’t get the Joboxers 1983 hit ‘Just got Lucky’ out of my head.
I was then informed that Wor Neale had left a substantial dropsy for me behind the bar at the Club.
Thank you bonnie lad, you are always there for me and I’ll see you on Saturday for Ma’s send off.
Newcastle 2 Tottenham 1 – Sunday 1 September 1.30pm
(Stats via BBC Sport)
Goals:
Newcastle United:
Barnes 37, Isak 78
Spurs:
Burn OG 56
Possession was Newcastle 34% Spurs 66%
Total shots were Newcastle 9 Spurs 20
Shots on target were Newcastle 3 Spurs 6
Corners were Newcastle 7 Spurs 12
Touches in the box Newcastle 14 Spurs 49
Newcastle United team v Tottenham:
Pope, Livramento, Krafth, Burn, Kelly (Hall 68), Joelinton, Bruno, Longstaff (Tonali 68), Barnes (Jacob Murphy 61), Isak, Gordon (Almiron 90+4)
Unused subs:
Dubravka, Trippier, Targett, Osula, Alex Murphy
(Match Report – I can think of worse ways to sign off your summer than beating Spurs… Read HERE)
(Newcastle 2 Tottenham 1 – Instant Newcastle United fan / writer reaction – Read HERE)
(BBC Sport comments from ‘neutrals’ – Interesting on Newcastle United after win over Tottenham – Read HERE)
Newcastle United schedule to end of October 2024:
(The first international break of the season)
Sunday 15 September 2024 – Wolves v Newcastle (4.30 pm) Sky Sports
Weeks commencing Monday 16 September AND Monday 23 September – Carabao Cup round three (This round split over two midweeks)
Saturday 21 September 2024 – Fulham v Newcastle (3 pm)
Weeks commencing Monday 16 September AND Monday 23 September – Carabao Cup round three (This round split over two midweeks)
Saturday 28 September 2024 – Newcastle v Man City (12.30 pm) TNT Sports
Saturday 5 October – Everton v Newcastle (5.30pm) Sky Sports
Saturday 19 October – Newcastle v Brighton (3pm)