Newcastle 2-1 Tottenham: Post-Match Tottenham Player Ratings

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Tottenham lost for the third consecutive campaign at St. James Park, as goals from Harvey Barnes and Alexander Isak condemned the Lilywhites to their first defeat of the season.

Barnes' instinctive volley opened the scoring but Spurs levelled the scoring just shy of the hour mark, with Dan Burn inadvertently putting the ball into his own net.

Isak caused the Tottenham backline nightmares in the 6-1 and 4-0 demolition in recent years and the Swede made sure that nightmare recurred as he tapped home the Magpies' winner.

However, this performance and scoreline was nowhere near as comprehensive as the previous two encounters. Ange Postecoglou's players arguably deserved to win, as they consistently bombarded Nick Pope's goal.

But it ended up being a similar story to their first away game of the season against Leicester City, with Spurs made to rue their failure to capitalise on their dominance.

Here's how the Spurs players fared.

Tottenham player ratings

Guglielmo Vicario - 6

There wasn't an awful lot Vicario could do about either goal. The Italian keeper commanded his box well and distributed effectively when needed.

Harvey Barnes' perfectly placed volley was well beyond the outstretched glove of Spurs' stopper and he was left heavily exposed for Isak's winner.

Pedro Porro - 6

Porro looked typically dangerous offensively, but looked a liability defensively. Anthony Gordon is one of the trickiest customers in the Premier League and the Spaniard never looked comfortable.

Porro attempted several long range efforts, with sporadic accuracy.

Radu Dragusin - 8

Dragusin was a surprise inclusion into the starting eleven due to Micky Van de Ven's absence, but the Romanian was Spurs' best player on the pitch.

He prevented an almost certain goal right after the interval with a perfectly-timed challenge on Isak and battled well aerially from set-pieces. Without his interventions the game would've been beyond Spurs very early in the second period.

Cristian Romero - 4

It was an uncharacteristically poor performance from the Argentine as he really struggled to cope with Isak's darting runs in behind.

Newcastle's winner came from Romero bizarrely stepping up, which left Jacob Murphy in acres to bare down on goal and square for Isak. Lacked urgency in possession with his side searching for a late equaliser.

Destiny Udogie - 5

It was a quiet game from Udogie, and the full-back appeared to miss the presence of van de Ven. The Italian didn't impose himself on proceedings as he usually would, and he still does not look back to complete sharpness following a prolonged spell out injured.

Yves Bissouma- 7

Bissouma controlled the midfield, which is no easy feat when the opposition have players such as Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton in the middle of the park. His quick feet and intricate passing in tight spaces gave Spurs an advantage for the large majority of the game.

Pape Matar Sarr - 7

The Senegalese was Spurs' biggest goal threat in the first half, with two fierce efforts from range forcing Nick Pope into action. He was unfortunate to be the player to make way at half time, as Postecoglou looked to inject some more attacking threat into the team.

James Maddison - 6.5

Maddison has began to rediscover the form which saw him being regarded as one of the best players in the Premier League. His creativity was stifled by Newcastle's low block, but he still managed to direct a few rasping strikes goalward.

Spurs' goal came from a Maddison shot from distance, which Pope could only palm into the path of Brennan Johnson.

Dejan Kulusevski - 6

The athleticism of Kulusevski is a perfect attribute for a tough away game, with his ability to protect the ball and his durability important assets for a game such as this.

But as the game drew on Kulusevski's decision-making left a lot to be desired, which will frustrate Postecoglou.

Due to the unavailability of Spurs' two recognised senior strikers, Dominic Solanke and Richarlison, Kulusevski had to play more centrally. He held up the ball well, but he isn't the clinical sort of player that Tottenham desired this game.

Wilson Odobert - 6

The teenager is still incredibly raw, but you can't help but feel that the Lilywhites have an exciting winger just waiting to flourish.

His confidence to demand the ball and the subsequent directness he possesses asks a lot of questions of oppostion defenders.

Unfortunately, the final action isn't quite there yet, as he missed a huge chance from two yards out, but at only 19, time is on his side to master his craft.

Heung-min Son - 5

Son had some success in the first half in his more natural left wing position testing Tino Livramento. The South Korean was then moved to play through the middle, but like Kulusevski, he consistently made the wrong decision on a counter attack.

Substitutes

Brennan Johnson - 8

The Welshman completely changed the game. He was introduced into the fold at halftime and instantly made an impact, testing Lloyd Kelly numerous times.

It was his deflected cross which presented Odobert with a golden opportunity to restore parity. But Johnson himself will be credited with forcing Dan Burn's own goal, as his effort on the rebound from a James Maddison shot forced Pope into a sprawling save into the path of Burn.

Lucas Bergvall - 6

Came into the game with ten minutes to go and recycled possession well.

Timo Werner - 5

Failed to make an impact in the closing stages with Spurs needing a goal.

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