Newcastle United beat Tottenham Hotspur 2–0 at St. James’ Park, with clinical finishing from the Magpies proving to be the difference in the Round of 16 Carabao Cup tie on Wednesday.
Entering the match off a 3-0 win at the Hill Dickinson Stadium late on Sunday against Everton, Spurs focused on the cup tie against a stadium and side that have given them fits in the Premier League. Being outscored 12-2 in the previous four matches at St. James’, Spurs had another poor display in front of goal in the cup tie.
Starting with a center-back partnership of João Palhinha and Kevin Danso, and keeper Antonín Kinský, Spurs manager Thomas Frank resorted to a 3-5-2/4-4-2 build-up, with the midfield three of Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall, and Pape Matar Sarr flanked by Djed Spence and Pedro Porro. Dealing with injuries in the backline and looking for rotational pieces to step up, Richarlison manned the No. 9 with Xavi Simons on the left and Brennan Johnson to his right.
From the opening whistle, Spurs endured heavy pressure from Newcastle’s attack, as the Magpies’ front three put Spurs’ defense in uncomfortable positions, leaving them open to counterattacks.
Newcastle had its chances early in the match as Porro and Palhinha had to put their bodies on the line in the box to block what would have been easy scoring chances. In those first 15 minutes, Newcastle were creating chances to break through, and eventually the home side did so off a corner kick in the 24th minute.
With Djed Spence taking his time to replace his boots near the corner flag, Newcastle waited until the whistle to whip in a far post header for Fabian Schar to outleap Kevin Danso and put his header over the diving Kinsky for the 1-0 lead. Kinsky should have saved the chance, as his reaction off the line was slow and would prove to be a problem later in the match.
Facing a 1-0 deficit, it felt as if Tottenham awoke to the thought that it was time to regain this match, and they put several chances on a plate for Richarlison. Creating chances off the break with Xavi Simons linking up with both Brennan Johnson and Lucas Bergvall with one-twos, the final balls into the box for Richarlison were all squared across the six-yard box with the Brazlian running past one, sliding late for a back post chance, and finally another one that was missed before having a shot on target with a header directly at Aaron Ramsdale.
Being frustrated all night long with the fouls that weren’t going his way or missing the chance that could spark him again, Richarlison has now scored one goal for the club in the country in the last 17 matches.
Down 1-0 at the half and truly having the hopes of at least leveling the match at the break, Spurs came out in the second half and endured another error for a goal.
Missing a golden chance in the attacking half of the field -- by Richarlison -- Danso dealt poorly with the pressure on his back as Newcastle intercepted his sliding pass attempt. Joe Willock took the ball from the box and crossed a ball onto the head of Nick Woltemade. Stuck in no man’s land, Kinsky attempted to punch the ball in time, but his poor effort allowed Woltemade to get the slightest of touches over Danso and into the back of the net.
Trailing 2-0, Spurs put together some moments as Sarr had an outside-the-box chance — as he loves to do — that was saved by Ramsdale. Danso had one, and his placement was for the top corner. Overall, Spurs had chances as the side kept fighting — literally against Joelinton after his strong challenge on Mohammed Kudus in the final minute of the match — but again the final balls aren’t resulting in goals. Spurs have moments in matches where they should be burying goals. Still, with a striker who is out of form, another who is injured (Dominic Solanke), and a final one who is showing glimspes (Randal Kolo Muani), the end product is not enough to be a competitive side in multiple competitions.
With the 2-0 defeat and their Carabao Cup exit, Spurs can now shift the focus to three competitions, with the side hosting Chelsea on Saturday.