Injury-hit Newcastle are dreaming of Europe as Eddie Howe’s side blew Tottenham away in a 4-0 shellacking at a boisterous St James’ Park on Saturday.
Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon each scored within two minutes in the first half after Micky van de Ven had a nightmare, then Isak scored again early in the second half and Fabian Schar scored late on to put extra gloss on the scoreline.
With the win Newcastle secured back-to-back wins for the first time since November-December and are four games unbeaten as they’ve moved up to sixth place on 50 points. Tottenham remain on 60 points but have opened the door for Aston Villa to close the gap on them in fourth place.
Spurs’ shortcomings ruthlessly exposed by magnificent Magpies
Speaking to TNT Sports in the UK after he had ripped Tottenham apart, Anthony Gordon revealed Newcastle totally changed the way they usually play to make the most of Spurs’ weaknesses. It worked a treat. Newcastle scored goals on the counter, hit long direct balls up to Isak, Gordon and Harvey Barnes and pressed Tottenham in defensive areas when the time was right and Spurs didn’t know what to do. Ange Postecoglou’s side had no control of this game from the first minute but they kept playing a high line, kept making rash decisions to step high and kept playing into Newcastle’s hands. Yes, Tottenham’s tactics are exciting to watch but this game showcased how flawed they are. When a team has figured you out and is clearly well-suited to play against your style of play, surely you have to do something different? Ange won’t do that and that is why Spurs’ top four hopes are still up in the air as they head into a truly brutal stretch of games to finish the season. Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea are all coming up in a brutal 16-day period and that will define Spurs’ season. If they play in their cavalier style against the title contenders, surely they will have a field day like Newcastle did? Speaking of Newcastle, having Gordon, Isak and Barnes playing in attack together provided quality and speed and that trio have led this resurgence in recent weeks and despite all of the injuries, the Magpies are dreaming of Europe.
Newcastle vs Tottenham player ratings
Via our friends at FotMob.com you can see Isak and Gordon had themselves a day. Defensively Newcastle were rock solid and Bruno Guimaraes was exceptional in midfield as they controlled the tempo of the game.
What’s next?
Newcastle now have 11 days off as they’re next in action at Crystal Palace on Wednesday, April 24. Spurs also have an extended period off with 15 days until their next game, the north London derby at home against Arsenal on Sunday, April 28.
How to watch Newcastle vs Tottenham live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 7:30am ET Saturday
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Watch online via NBC.com
Newcastle vs Tottenham live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Newcastle vs Tottenham final score: 4-0
Isak 31' 51', Gordon 33', Schar 87'
Full time: Newcastle 4-0 Tottenham
That was so comfortable for Newcastle that is was pretty embarrassing for Spurs. The Magpies made the most of all their counter attacks and were clinical. Tottenham never showed up and now their top four hopes are in real danger given the games they have remaining.
They are 4-0 up now! Schar heads home - Newcastle 4-0 Tottenham (87th minute)
From the resulting corner Schar heads back across goal and into the top corner. What a header. A sorry state of affairs for Spurs.
Newcastle should be 4-0 up
Barnes does superbly to play in Gordon and 10 yards out he should hit it first time but he takes a touch and Spurs clear for a corner. Great opportunity for Gordon to get his second and Newcastle’s fourth.
Damage limitation for Spurs
It has been a case of not taking too many risks for Tottenham as they’ve barely created a chance since they went 3-0 down. That suits Newcastle perfectly.
Triple sub for Tottenham
Hojbjerg, Sarr and Kulusevski on for Bissouma, Bentancur and Son. Ange is trying to get his team going. Son has barely had a kick up top, while Bissouma and Bentancur have been totally overpowered in midfield.
Isak gets another as the shocking defending continues: Newcastle 3-0 Tottenham (51st minute)
Lovely ball over the top from Bruno Guimaraes and Micky van de Ven has had a nightmare with his positioning. He is quick but he’s caught out far too high and Isak is in on goal and finishes calmly into the far corner. Game over?
Half time: Newcastle 2-0 Tottenham
My word, what a wild first half. Tottenham needed that half time whistle after capitulating in a two-minute spell. Gordon has been excellent as he set up Isak for the first and scored the second. Are Ange’s boys going to get going in the second half? They can’t play much worse than this. Pretty sure Micky van de Ven will be changing his boots for ones with bigger studs on them at half time too...
Newcastle go close three more times
The Magpies are flying and Isak and Gordon are both denied by last-ditch blocks from Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie, then Isak heads just wide from a corner. Tottenham are all over the place defensively. They have to get a grip. There are huge gaps opening up and Spurs are making some very rash decisions when it comes to their defensive positioning.
Gordon makes the most of a Van de Ven slip this time - Newcastle 2-0 Tottenham (33rd minute)
Porro plays a horrible ball back towards his own goal and Gordon is in over the top and oh no, Micky van de Ven is like Bambi on ice at the moment as he slips at the crucial moment again and Gordon smashes home. Tottenham have hit the self-destruct button. Moments after getting harshly booked, Micky van de Ven does that twice. Unbelievable.
Isak gives Newcastle the lead after great work from Gordon - Newcastle 1-0 Tottenham (31st minute)
Alexander Isak has sent St James’ Park wild as Newcastle take the lead. Gordon chases a lost cause and sets up Isak who cuts inside and Micky van de Ven slips before Isak curls home.
Bissouma clears a corner
A dangerous corner is whipped in from the left and Newcastle nod it down before Bissouma hacks clear from a yard out with Bruno Guimaraes about to hook home. Newcastle are testing Vicario with these corners right on top of him.
Werner volleys over
Lovely move from Spurs down the right and Brennan Johnson picks out Timo Werner at the back post with a great cross but the German forward volleys way over and gets it all wrong. Surely he had to head that, right!?
Early chances for both teams
We are off and running and inside the first minute Tottenham have a chance with Maddison whipping in a cross and a shot is brilliantly blocked. At the other end Gordon races free down the right and his cross causes chaos as Anderson’s effort is deflected wide for a corner. Lively start to match the wonderful atmosphere.
Newcastle lineup
Dubravka; Krafth, Schar, Burn; Murphy, Longstaff, Guimaraes, Anderson; Barnes, Isak, Gordon
Tottenham lineup
Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie; Bissouma, Bentancur; Johnson, Maddison, Werner; Son
Newcastle United focus, team news
Harvey Barnes has been strong when healthy and sent onto the pitch, while Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes have carried much attacking weight while the midfield and backs deal with so many injuries.
OUT: Sandro Tonali (suspension), Sven Botman (knee), Jamaal Lascelles (knee), Callum Wilson (chest), Joelinton (thigh), Nick Pope (shoulder), Lewis Miley (lower back), Tino Livramento (ankle), Miguel Almiron (knee), Kieran Trippier (calf) | QUESTIONABLE: Matt Targett (achilles), Joe Willock (achilles)
Tottenham Hotspur focus, team news
Spurs should like their chances against Newcastle’s ramshackle back line, which is absent four regulars and sandwiched between a backup veteran keeper and a depleted midfield. Look for Heung-min Son and Co. to have plenty of good chances.
OUT: Manor Solomon (knee), Ryan Sessegnon (thigh), Fraser Forster (foot) | QUESTIONABLE: Richarlison (knee)
