Newcastle United forced their way into the top four of the Premier League with a 2-1 statement win against Tottenham Hotspur thanks to goals from Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron.
Tottenham’s 100% winning home record in the Premier League came crashing down on Sunday evening as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against a brilliant, battle-hardened Newcastle United side oozing with confidence.
Callum Wilson clipped one over and into an empty net after Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris rushed out of his box, but didn’t manage to clear the lines before crashing into striker Wilson, who got up and looped his well-placed chip to put his side in front after an even start to the game with some teasing opportunities at both ends.
The Spurs skipper was again at fault for the second goal after his poor kick put Ryan Sessegnon under unnecessary pressure. Sean Longstaff intercepted it and fed it to the electric Miguel Almiron, who ghosted past Spurs defender Clement Lenglet as if he wasn’t there, before caressing the ball into the back of the net with his favoured left foot from a tight angle.
Spurs’ Harry Kane pulled a goal back in the second half to provide the hosts with a lifeline, but that proved to be a mere consolation as Eddie Howe’s team took all three points in what was a composed and spirited display from the visitors.
📈 @NUFC move into the top four#TOTNEW pic.twitter.com/axL2PSY0fI
— Premier League (@premierleague) October 23, 2022
There’s a feel-good factor about this Newcastle squad that has seen unheralded gems shine like bright diamonds, while their camaraderie and brotherhood have put many big teams to the sword, and Spurs have joined a long list of opponents who have failed to beat them this season.
As for Tottenham, something needs to change tactically. They can’t sit deep against top teams, especially at home, as it is backfiring against them, and if you allow so many high-quality shots on your own goal, some might sneak in at the end. Anyways, the Hard Tackle will now run the rule over both sets of players.
Tottenham Hotspur
Hugo Lloris: 5/10
They ran into each other and neither could get out the way. Lloris doesn’t need to fall over in the way he does, perhaps trying to gain a foul. In no way is it a foul against Wilson – it’s a collision and had it have been disallowed would have shown keepers are protected too much
— Daniel Wales (@danielwales023) October 23, 2022
After an inspiring display at Old Trafford, where he kept the score sheet respectable for his team, Lloris dropped an absolute stinker here and was partly responsible for both of Newcastle’s goals. He failed to clear the lines or stand his ground in the duel against Wilson outside the box before misplacing a kick that put Sessegnon in trouble and which ended up with Almiron searing through to find the back of the net. He made a good save to deny Schar in the second half, but that was a night to forget for the Spurs skipper.
Davinson Sanchez: 6/10
In the absence of the injured Romero, Sanchez was handed a rare start at the back, and aside from some shaky moments on the ball in the first half when Newcastle managed to pressure him into making loose passes, the Colombian put in an okay performance with some strong defending in both halves.
Eric Dier: 6/10
Dier, who has been tipped to be England’s starting centre-back at the World Cup, delivered a shaky display at the heart of the Spurs backline that was lacking concentration and defensive organisation. They were all over the shop and were carved open by a long ball over the top for Wilson’s goal, while Dier almost scored an own-goal himself with one early back pass past Lloris and just inches past his own right-hand post. Fine on the ball when afforded acres of space, but Spurs need better defenders.
Clement Lenglet: 5/10
Lenglet’s performance was a mixed bag. He was beaten far too easily for Newcastle’s second by Almiron and was caught out of position a few times, but he was excellent with the ball at his feet and showed composure to play out of Newcastle’s press on occasion. Got an assist with a flick to Kane as well.
Emerson Royal: 6/10
After returning after a three-game ban, Emerson was bursting with enthusiasm and was keen to make a mark with his speed and skills, notably nutmegging Joe Willock, but lacked any end product. The Brazilian was aggressive with his defending in the game, but not necessarily effective.
Oliver Skipp: 7/10
On his first Premier League start since January, replacing the injured Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg, Skipp showed plenty of industry with some snappy challenges, while he also made some excellent forward runs into spaces in behind after quick exchanges. He was positive and progressive on the ball and set up Son and Sessegnon for early chances, and was one of the few bright sparks in this Spurs display.
Yves Bissouma: 5/10
Bissouma acted as a disruptor between the lines but didn’t offer control or an eye for a searching pass. To be fair to him, he had a tough job of keeping Newcastle’s foraging Brazilians in check. However, no one can deny it was yet another below-par and anonymous performance from the Malian, who is rapidly turning from one of the best signings of the summer window to a flop.
Rodrigo Bentancur: 7/10
Bentancur made some solid defensive contributions while also trying his best to push his side forward with driving runs through midfield, fast effective usage of the ball, and getting it forward to feed attackers. Some nice spins and passes between the lines, but he held onto the ball a little too long at times.
Ryan Sessegnon: 5/10
Like Royal, Sessegnon provided a willing pair of legs down the left and, as often is the case, was just missing that final ball or firing shots slightly off target. He faded in the second-half, and Perisic took his place after he received a yellow card just before the hour mark.
Heung-min Son: 6/10
Spurs’ South Korean talisman had a lively and zippy start, testing Pope with a series of strikes, one on the roof of the net and the other sailing over the bar, but a confident Son would have put away that golden one-vs-one opportunity all day long. A rather anonymous second half from the man who bailed Spurs out of jail so many times with his individual brilliance last term.
Harry Kane: 7/10
Kane looked lively throughout the game, albeit not from the centre-forward position as he was well-marshalled by the Newcastle backline. He switched into the playmaker role seamlessly, as he played some raking, inch-perfect passes.
He sent Son through on goal early on and went on a swashbuckling run himself in the first half that ended with a low shot well saved by Pope. Headed home at the back post to give his side some hope, while he also set up Perisic for a scoring chance midway through the second half. Tried to make something out of nothing, but couldn’t do it all on his own.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Ivan Perisic: 6/10
Perisic delivered a couple of threatening crosses and hit one low shot off Kane’s pass, but that was about it, as the Croatian failed to make a desirable impact on the game.
Lucas Moura: 6/10
There was a lot of enthusiasm and he threw himself into challenges, but there was very little contribution in the attacking zones.
Matt Doherty: N/A
Didn’t play enough to warrant a rating.
Ben Davies: N/A
Didn’t play enough to warrant a rating.
Newcastle United
Nick Pope: 7/10
Pope didn’t have anything to do in the Everton game but was in the midst of the action in the opening exchanges here. Two excellent saves to deny Heung-Min Son and Harry Kane; he stood his ground in the first one and got an important fingertip when Son tried to chip him before another brilliant stop to deny Kane’s strike with his legs.
He wasn’t called into action in the second half, although he was quick off his line to act as sweeper keeper and slowed the game by taking all the time in the world to take goal-kicks.
Kieran Trippier: 7/10
An uncharacteristic lapse in concentration from the Newcastle skipper, who was too soft and allowed England teammate Kane to get goal side and nod home Spurs’ opener at the back post from a corner. Otherwise, he was solid as ever, and he made an important clearance off the line early on.
Sven Botman: 7/10
Sven Botman is quickly becoming one of, if not, the best defender in the Premier League, and has all the potential to be one of the best in the world. Everything he did, he did it gracefully and in a composed fashion. Imperious in aerial duels, dominant in physical battles, and reads the game well.
Jamie Redknapp: “Sven Botman at the back, we’ve seen some good centre-backs in this league but he’s got the capabilities to be better than them. He’s a real leader of men – what a special player he is.”
A bold statement. #NUFC
— Charlie Bennett (@CharIieBennett) October 23, 2022
He is tidy, progressive on the ball and tries to break the lines or find midfield open pockets with his passing. He was top class yet again, man-handling Harry Kane. He never looked flustered when called into action or positioned himself so well that he never had to make a last-ditch tackle. An absolute Rolls Royce of a defender.
Fabian Schar: 8/10
While summer signing Botman has received all the plaudits, Fabian Schar’s impressive performances this season have largely flown under the radar. Strong, composed, and match intelligent as ever. The Swiss centre-half is delivering an 8/10 virtually every week.
Played some nice switches and long balls, while his positioning was of the highest order. He is also ridiculously good on the ball. His ball to Joelinton today was exquisite, and he also set up Wilson’s goal with a raking ball over the top.
Dan Burn: 7/10
Burn had to be alert from the start, with the pace of the Spurs attack getting the better of him in the opening exchanges. The hosts tried to target his lack of pace on the turn, but the Geordie defender was having none of that and showed robustness and no-nonsense defending. Admirably solid and assured at left-back.
Sean Longstaff: 7/10
Longstaff tracked back well and put in a defensive shift, sweeping everything in front of him with excellent tackles. He was tidy in possession too. Showed brilliant game-reading as he stole the ball off Ryan Sessegnon and provided it to Almiron for Newcastle’s second.
Bruno Guimarães: 7/10
Guimaraes wasn’t at his dominant best, and he got off to a shaky start with a couple of misplaced long balls and passes, but he improved as the game progressed and showed a few glimpses of his genuine Brazilian class as he picked out some textbook passes. When it came to recovering the ball and staying on top of his opponent midfielder, the South American showed his tenacity and warrior mentality. He also slowed things down when Newcastle were under the cosh.
Joe Willock: 7/10
Willock put on an all-action performance, frequently obtaining possession for his team with some battling defensive work. Had a few lovely touches, long passes, and lung-bursting runs to keep Spurs alert. Like his midfield partners, his work rate was exemplary.
Miguel Almiron: 8/10
The Paraguayan magician was at it again, putting in a solid shift and bagging the crucial goal with a sublime solo strike that proved to be the match-winner. He teased the Spurs defenders at times with his deft flicks, change of speed, and quick interchanges with Trippier and Guimaraes.
Miguel Almiron’s game by numbers vs. Tottenham:
94% pass accuracy
60 touches
8 touches in opp. box
6 shots
6 x possession won
5 duels won
2 tackles
2 fouls won
1 goalThe match winner. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/dF2Obh3lBx
— Squawka (@Squawka) October 23, 2022
His goal showed what he’s all about as he turned Lenglet inside out and dragged it onto his right before checking onto his left foot for an expertly taken finish for his sixth goal of the season. It’s as if Jack Grealish’s disrespectful jibe in City’s title celebration last season has unlocked a pure goal machine that scores only wonder goals. Almiron now has five goals in five, something the £100-million Englishman can only dream of. Are you paying attention, Jack? Playing like Almiron gets you places.
Callum Wilson: 7/10
Wilson finally got the monkey off his back, snapping a three-game goal drought. He stayed watchful and cannily deft-barged Lloris before netting his fourth goal of the campaign with a well-placed chip into an empty net. He held the ball up well and grabbed his only scoring opportunity of the game with both hands.
Joelinton: 8/10
A real midfield workhorse, who put in four tackles. His work rate was exceptional, and the amount of ground he covered was astounding. He may not be the best technician on the field, but he ran himself into the ground to fill gaps and provided excellent defensive cover for his teammates despite operating in a left winger position.
The Brazilian powerhouse also saw an early penalty shout rebuffed following a good run into the box. An all-action display.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Jacob Murphy: 6/10
Murphy injected a bit of energy and fresh legs as some of Newcastle’s players were tiring late on.
Chris Wood: N/A
Didn’t play enough to warrant a rating.
Jonjo Shelvey: N/A
Didn’t play enough to warrant a rating.
