This is where I say Patson, Bergson, Bayant, Aslam Omar, Moca Cajee, Muneer for for life, Ahmed Patel. Have I missed anyone? 🙃I’ve been saying this all of last year and now again this year. Where are the COYS
Newcastle’s win at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was a fascinating game of two halves. Spurs were arguably the better team before the break, but Newcastle were far more decisive after it. Anthony Elanga (62′) and Yoane Wissa (72′) delivered Matthias Jaissle’s first Premier League victory as Newcastle manager.
Spurs: promising football, familiar problem
Roberto De Zerbi’s side actually produced some encouraging football in the first half. Mathys Tel caused problems from the left, Spurs moved the ball reasonably well through midfield, and Lukáš Horníček had to make saves from Tel and Jan Paul van Hecke. Spurs eventually finished with 17 shots to Newcastle’s 11, while Newcastle scored with their only two shots on target.
But that statistic also explains Tottenham’s biggest problem: possession and territory weren’t translating into high-quality finishing.
The attacking structure still looked unfinished. Omar Marmoush was making his debut only a day after signing, while Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Rodrigo Bentancur are still developing their relationships in midfield. There were good passages, but not enough cohesion around Newcastle’s penalty area.
The turning point: Newcastle’s half-time adjustment
The match changed dramatically after half-time.
Newcastle became more compact without the ball and more assertive when they had it. Spurs consequently found fewer spaces between Newcastle’s lines, and the visitors started attacking Tottenham’s defensive transitions.
Then came an excellent opening goal.
Nico González played a huge diagonal from deep towards Amar Dedić, whose run beyond the winger took him into Tottenham territory. Dedić headed the ball into Elanga’s path; Elanga controlled it, swivelled and fired left-footed off the inside of the far post.
0–1, 62 minutes.
That sequence was Newcastle at their best: switch the point of attack → aggressive full-back run → direct combination → clinical finish.
Tottenham’s biggest concern wasn’t conceding — it was the reaction
This was the worrying part for De Zerbi.
He acknowledged afterwards that Spurs essentially lost confidence after Elanga scored. He felt Tottenham had been the better side until that point, but criticised the reaction once they fell behind.
You could see it tactically as well.
Instead of increasing the pressure, Tottenham became less connected. Their attacking and defensive units stretched apart, Newcastle suddenly looked much more comfortable, and Spurs struggled to generate sustained pressure despite De Zerbi making three substitutions.
That’s particularly concerning because there were still almost 30 minutes left when Newcastle scored.
Wissa kills the game
Ten minutes later Newcastle punished Spurs again.
Lewis Hall’s deep corner found substitute Nick Woltemade, who headed the ball back into the danger area. Wissa improvised brilliantly with his back towards goal, hooking the ball over himself and beyond Antonín Kinský.
0–2, 72 minutes.
Woltemade had effectively made an immediate impact from the bench, while Wissa’s movement and physical presence had troubled Tottenham throughout the evening.
Newcastle’s standout performers
Elanga looks transformed. He has now scored in Newcastle’s opening two Premier League games, becoming the first Newcastle player to do that since Alan Shearer in 2003/04. His confidence is clearly returning under Jaissle.
Horníček was crucial too. Newcastle’s goalkeeper made several important first-half saves when Tottenham were on top, allowing Newcastle to reach half-time at 0–0 and make their tactical adjustment.
And Nico González gave Newcastle supporters a glimpse of what he can provide. His long diagonal initiated the opening goal and gave Newcastle another midfielder capable of bypassing pressure with one pass.
What it means for Spurs
It’s only two games, so judging De Zerbi’s rebuilt side now would be premature. But the numbers are uncomfortable:
Played 2 — Lost 2 — Scored 0 — Conceded 5.
More significantly, Tottenham have now lost their opening two league matches without scoring for only the third time in the club’s history, after 1947/48 and 1974/75.
De Zerbi’s assessment was revealing. He essentially argued that Spurs have assembled talented individuals but haven’t yet developed the connections, defensive spacing, identity and collective confidence required to become a team.
That’s probably the fairest diagnosis.
Verdict
Tottenham 5.5/10: Better than the scoreline suggests for roughly an hour, but the collapse after conceding is concerning. There is obvious individual quality, yet the attacking relationships aren’t developed enough and confidence looks fragile.
Newcastle 8/10: Mature away performance. They survived Tottenham’s strongest period, Jaissle improved the structure at half-time, and Newcastle ruthlessly exploited their opportunities. Two shots on target, two goals, clean sheet.
Man of the match: I’d lean Lukáš Horníček. Elanga produced the decisive attacking moment, but without Horníček’s first-half saves Newcastle might never have been in position to execute their second-half game plan.
The biggest takeaway is that Newcastle already look more coherent than Spurs. Tottenham may ultimately possess the higher individual ceiling after their huge summer rebuild, but right now Jaissle’s players understand their roles better—and that difference decided this match.
I can also track Spurs and give you a post-match tactical review after each Premier League game.
Author: swoosh0018
"Im Swoosh. Seeking the extraordinary in every corner & Exploring South Africa in Style" Football,Sports,Lifestyle,Food & Travel
