Tottenham 1-2 Newcastle United Player Ratings as the Magpies make their bid for a Top 4 finish 

With the midway point of the season upon us, Tottenham Hotspur welcomed Newcastle United at their home ground as they looked to break their torrid form in recent times and get their season back on track. As for Newcastle, the game came with the opportunity to potentially break into the Top 4. 

As has come to be expected from Spurs, they made a furious start to the game, nabbing an early goal by Dominic Solanke. However, for all their good work they found themselves on equal footing mere moments later after a mistake by Lucas Bergvall. A second from Newcastle arrived near the break after Alexander Isak poked in a failed attempt to clear the ball. The second half saw the Spurs make a few changes and seriously pile on the pressure which nearly resulted in an equalizer, that never came.

All in all, there were positive signs for both sides who have some key fixtures coming up during midweek with their respective cup semis. 

Tottenham Player Ratings vs Newcastle 

Goalkeeper

Brandon Austin: 6.5/10- Gave a solid account of himself on the night and despite setbacks was firm and commanding of the backline. Made a few big claims and instilled a much-needed sense of calmness, aside from a few risky passes.

Defenders

Pedro Porro: 7/10- Started the game well, bombing forward on occasion and delivering a sumptuous cross which led to the first goal. Was not afraid to let a few shots fly from distance and tried to help his side going forward whenever he could. 

Radu Drăguşin: 6/10- Poor with his man-marking and despite warnings could not get tight enough to Isak, which led to Necastle’s second goal. 

Archie Gray: 6/10- Did not stand out particularly, and got into trouble a few times. Needed to show more conviction in dealing with crosses, both grounded and aerial.

Djed Spence: 6/10- Slightly clunky in possession and offered no threat going forward. Seemed lethargic in dealing with his man at times. Needed to and could well have prevented some of the threatening crosses into the box.

Midfielders

Lucas Bergvall: 6/10- Made a costly, unnecessary error early on in the first half to surrender possession which ultimately led to a goal. 

Pape Matar Sarr: 6.5/10- Solid with his tackles and with his pressing from midfield. Was key in turning over possession at times and brought some much-needed steel to the side.

Dejan Kulusevski: 6/10- Started the game well but quickly faded as the game went on. Popped up during a few transitions and breakaways but was unable to really influence the game. 

Attackers

Timo Werner: 6/10- Quick and agile to get down the byline whenever the opportunity presented itself. Failed to really produce anything substantial as most of his crosses were off the mark or blocked off at the source. 

Brennan Johnson: 6.5/10- Had a good first half and was in and around the action for the most part. Faded during the second half but popped up near the end nearly putting his side on level terms. 

Dominic Solanke: 7/10- Made a hot start to the game and was at his clinical best. Crucial in holding the ball up and causing havoc in the opposition box. 

Substitutes

Sergio Reguilón: N/A

Son Heung-Min: N/A

James Maddison: N/A

Yves Bissouma: N/A

Manager 

Ange Postecoglou: 6.5/10- Tried to really go for the game in the second half with the changes but unfortunately could not find the desired result. Could have tried a slightly different lineup and more of the players he ended the game with. 

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Newcastle Player Ratings vs Tottenham 

Goalkeeper

Martin Dúbravka: 6.5/10- Couldn’t have done much for the goal, but did well from thereon collecting a few crosses and putting himself about bravely, even taking a big knock in one instance. 

Defenders

Lewis Hall: 7/10- Superb in his 1v1 duels and gave a hard time to any attacker he went up against. Was pacy and made himself available during attacking moments as well.

Dan Burn: 6/10- Slightly struggled with the pace of the game at times, but did well to repel any crosses and provided a clear target from set pieces and corners. 6

Sven Botman: 7/10- Poor at the start of the game, getting outdone by Solanke for the first goal. Managed to get a lot more solid thereafter and was possibly the best defender on the pitch from then onwards.

Tino Livramento: 6.5/10- Following a bumpy start, was mostly reserved to ushering his opposing number to the byline and picking up loose balls from clearances. Did get physically outdone a couple of times though.

Midfielders

Bruno Guimarães: 7/10- Was quick to latch on to a loose ball and send it through for Gordon which led to their first goal. Took a little while to get in the game after that but when he did, was absolutely key in keeping possession and making things happen.

Sandro Tonali: 6/10- Took some time to get on the ball and get involved. Did not have the most spectacular game today but was there whenever his side needed bodies at the back or when they were looking to get on the attack. 

Joelinton: 6/10- Slightly anonymous after a bright start, struggling to get involved and spent most of his time trying to win the ball back. Did make a few neat runs into good areas, but was not met with any service.

Attackers

Jacob Murphy: 7/10- Rapid and on job down the right-hand side. Delivered a few fantastic low crosses into the box, including the one for the second Newcastle goal. Gave his opposing number a torrid time 

Anthony Gordon: 7/10- Fortuitous as it may have been, he needed to be in the right position and dispatch the ball well for the first goal. Offered a lot for his side in terms of balls into the box and linking up the play around the opposition box.

Alexander Isak: 7.5/10- Took slightly longer to grow into the game but was a big threat once he got going. Missed a sitter but comfortably put away the following chance in the first half. Was a threat in and out of possession and was a nightmare to deal with for the Spurs’ defence. 

Substitutes

Harvey Barnes: N/A

Joe Willock: N/A

Sean Longstaff: N/A

Manager 

Eddie Howe: 7/10- Forced into making a few changes, taking off key players and finishing the game with a very different structure. Did well to hold on to the lead and reinforced the backline in the second half.

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