Tottenham 0-2 Newcastle: Roberto de Zerbi not panicking but old failings haunt Spurs
Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi said he was "not angry" and there was "no panic" after his side's second loss in two games left them bottom of the Premier League â but it was a depressingly familiar story for the club's fans.
Goals from Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa in a 10-minute second-half spell gave Newcastle a 2-0 victory, with thousands of Spurs supporters heading for the exits early.
They have every reason to be annoyed as they have now seen only three home league wins from their past 23 matches at their superb stadium.
Seventeenth in the Premier League in 2024-25, 17th in 2025-26, only avoiding relegation on the final day, but this season was meant to be different.
With more than £300m spent in the summer, Spurs fans were expecting a push to get back into Europe, having won the Europa League two seasons ago and been in the last 16 of the Champions League in March.
Instead, in the Premier League it is played two, lost two, scored none, 20th out of 20.
"We can improve in the defensive phases but today was an unfair result," said De Zerbi.
"Disappointed for the result because until the first goal we conceded, we played better than Newcastle.
"We are disappointed for the result and [for] our fans. We are working to be a great team. When we become a team, we can change the story of the last two seasons for Tottenham."
After beating Everton on the final day of last season to stay up, Tottenham tried to ensure they were not in a relegation scrap this year.
In came midfielders Mateus Fernandes from West Ham and Sandro Tonali from Newcastle for £85m and £100m respectively, defender Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton for £52m and Manchester City winger Savio, formerly known as Savinho, for £75m, although he missed Saturday's match because of "muscle fatigue".
Defenders Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson, plus goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, have arrived on free transfers and striker Omar Marmoush made his debut against Newcastle following his loan from Manchester City, with the deal becoming a permanent £60m transfer next summer.
After a 3-0 loss at Brentford last week, more home pain was inflicted on the Spurs support, although the Magpies scored with both of their attempts on target as Tottenham failed to convert any of their 17 attempts, six of which were on target.
"Forget the result," insisted De Zerbi. "I am not angry, we are working well and were unlucky today with the result.
"There is no panic. I know where we are going and what the plan is. I'm sorry for the fans for the result. We have to improve. We have to work hard on the pitch and find the connection between the players."
Former Tottenham and England goalkeeper Joe Hart was not as positive about Spurs' performances and said: "The frustration in the stadium, and among the fans, will be they are looking at that Spurs team and wondering what they are trying to achieve.
"When you see a Newcastle side who have been through massive change over the summer - and a more difficult change than Spurs have - it's hard as in two games you can clearly see what [Newcastle boss] Matthias Jaissle is trying to do. The players are on board with it and they are flying.
"The concern for Tottenham is they can't say the same. But there's been a lot of change and it's not easy to bed in that many players under so much pressure.
"Hardly anyone has been able to find the remedy at the club so it's not like it's an easy fix. They've not just suddenly fallen off a cliff, they've been struggling in the league for a while.
"Roberto de Zerbi needs to get his new players to settle in quickly as the Premier League comes at you so fast, and it feels like his team are second-guessing everything at the moment."
Former England goalkeeper Rob Green, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, added: "Lukas Hornicek made some saves in the first half but Tottenham were short of invention, creation, goals.
"For Tottenham, the same questions last season are still here this season. Performances like this will indicate that they need a vast improvement from this set of players that have come into this club.
"They will need the characters as much as anything to turn this around. It doesn't take much for these Spurs fans to turn and the belief start to drain from the players."
The transfer window closes on Tuesday, and on Friday De Zerbi said he was still seeking "one player more in one specific position".
After the Newcastle match he was asked about the potential departures of Kevin Danso, Pape Matar Sarr and Richarlison, who have all been linked with moves away from Tottenham.
"I have very good relationships but if they want to leave, they have to bring the solution, the economic solution, to the club, and they can go," he said.
De Zerbi was only appointed at the end of March, earning 11 points in seven matches to keep Spurs up, and insists it will not be a quick fix to the club's problems.
"We have to improve and to change two seasons like the last two is impossible in 10 days and with people in the transfer market," said the Italian.
"We have to work hard on the pitch and find the connection with the players because last season before the end of the season we were in the Championship and we stayed up together.
"Now we have to keep calm and focus on improvement. We have a great squad and great players."
