Newcastle 2-1 Tottenham: Pope stymies wasteful Spurs
Nick Pope made six saves as Newcastle United flustered wasteful Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 on Sunday in a match-up of two Premier League sides with top-four dreams at St. James’ Park.
Harvey Barnes gave the Magpies a first-half lead and Alexander Isak delivered a second-half winner against the run of play to improve Newcastle’s unbeaten record to 2-1-0.
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Spurs sink to 1-1-1 after taking 20 shots off 66% of the ball but only finding the score sheet via a Dan Burn own goal.
Spurs took 12 of their shots in the second half, a frame in which they had eight corner kicks, but Pope made some sensational saves and Tottenham was just an inch or two off the mark so many times.
Absences keep game in balance for both sides
Two teams who like to play the game were limited in one part of the field, and that led to a lot of chances without finish. Spurs did not have access to Dominic Solanke and Richarlison, and it’s not wild to say one of them could’ve turned one of the visitors’ 20 shot attempts into goals. And Newcastle is still waiting out Fabian Schar’s suspension while fellow center back Sven Botman continues his recovery from an ACL injury. The Magpies deployed Dan Burn with Emil Krafth at center back and while both were fine it certainly hurt the team’s plans to keep the ball. Sandro Tonali changed the game a little when he came on for Sean Longstaff, and the reverse fixture will be one to watch. That’s not to say this match wasn’t fun, but both Eddie Howe and Ange Postecoglou will prefer a different viewing experience.
Newcastle vs Tottenham player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
Lloyd Kelly was very good at left back while Nick Pope’s heroics were well-detailed in other parts of this piece. Spurs didn’t have any passengers but their center forward play lacked, well, a center forward.
What’s next?
The international break. Then: Spurs host Arsenal in the North London derby at 9am ET Sunday (Sept. 15) and then go to Coventry City in the League Cup.
Newcastle go to Wolves at 11:30am on Sunday, Sept. 15 before a League Cup visit to AFC Wimbledon.
How to watch Newcastle vs Tottenham live, stream link and start time
Kickoff time: 8:30 am ET Sunday (Sept. 1)
Venue: St. James’ Park
TV Channel: USA Network
Streaming:Watch live online via NBC.com
Newcastle vs Tottenham live updates — by Nick Mendola
Newcastle vs Tottenham Hotspur final score: 2-1
Harvey Barnes 37', Dan Burn o.g. 56', Alexander Isak 78'
Out of nothing, the hosts go back in front! Newcastle 2-1 Spurs (78th minute)
Somehow, the Magpies weather the storm and score on the counter.
Jacob Murphy gets behind the Spurs back line and puts the ball across the 18 on a plate for Alexander Isak.
The Swede won’t miss often from there.
Pope saves from distance!
James Maddison curls a hard shot toward the upper 90.
He’s got Pope cooked but the shot is just a bit too central and allows the ex-Burnley keeper to make a very good two-handed save.
Spurs all over Newcastle.
Here come the subs
Sandro Tonali gets a very warm reception in subbing in for Sean Longstaff for a first Premier League match since his near-year-long suspension for gambling.
Lewis Hall replaces Lloyd Kelly as well. The Magpies needed a change. They get two.
Magpies finally slow momentum
It’s been all Spurs in the second half, but substitute Jacob Murphy has won a corner.
The Magpies get nothing out of it but keep the ball for about a minute before blasting a ball out of their back right to Spurs.
The Magpies need to keep the ball somehow and it may takes subs.
Tottenham level! Newcastle 1-1 Spurs (56th minute)
This has been coming, and it’s substitute Brennan Johnson who prods a Newcastle own goal.
Nick Pope makes a save on James Maddison’s drive and shot, but Johnson is at the back post to slide the rebound back on frame.
Pope gets a apiece of it, but Dan Burn can’t see the ball going wide and clears it into the roof of his goal.
One switch for Spurs
Pape Sarr exits for Brennan Johnson. Sarr was on yellow — like three Newcastle players — but this is also an attacking move from Ange Postecoglou.
Halftime — Newcastle 1-0 Spurs
There has been entertainment, for sure, with lots of energy, plenty of fouling, the Newcastle goal, and Spurs having an early marker chalked off for a clear offside.
It could be anyone’s game, but Newcastle have found a moment of magic and Spurs are yet to do so. There could be a bunch of goals in this.
Magpies break through! Newcastle 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur (37th minute)
Lloyd Kelly knifes a cross into the heart of the Spurs box from the left and Harvey Barnes is there.
It’s a really nice finish, a quick redirection that leaves Vicario with very little hope of anything but the ball going wide.
It doesn’t. 1-0 to the hosts.
Spurs find the front foot
Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope’s been called upon to make a solid save.
Spurs have really found their game after a first 15-20 minutes that was almost all about the hosts.
Referee injury
Get ready for longer stoppage time after 45 as we’re in a bit of a delay.
Fourth official Darren Bond will have to take on a bigger role as assistant referee following a reported thigh injury amongst the crew.
Isak fools Vicario but not the post
It’s difficult to fool inanimate objects, Alexander.
Isak wins the ball back from Heung-min Son deep in Spurs territory and lofts a surprise shot from an acute angle, catching Guglielmo Vicario too far forward.
It clanks off the top of the far post to keep it scoreless.
Newcastle vs Tottenham Hotspur team news
Lots of Newcastle changes from the midweek League Cup win, with Sandro Tonali’s trip back to the bench the biggest surprise. Fabian Schar is still out through suspsension. Spurs are without Micky van de Ven, Richarlison, and Dominic Solanke, giving big chances to Radu Dragusin and Wilson Odobert.
Newcastle United lineup
Pope, Livramento, Krafth, Burn, Kelly, Longstaff, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Barnes, Gordon, Isak
Tottenham Hotspur lineup
Vicario, Porro, Romero, Dragusin, Udogie, Sarr, Bissouma, Maddison, Kulusevski, Son, Odobert.
Newcastle focus, team news
OUT: Sven Botman (knee), Jamaal Lascelles (knee), Lewis Miley (ankle), Callum Wilson (back), Fabian Schar (suspension), Martin Dubravka (concussion) | QUESTIONABLE: Joe Willock (thigh)
Sandro Tonali is expected to make his first Premier League appearance since last October, when he was given a 10-month ban for betting on football. The Italian and his new club got off to a flying start in August and September before the suspension came down and quickly derailed the season a half-dozen different ways. The midfield is significantly strengthened by Tonali’s return, forming one of the PL’s best trios alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton, but Eddie Howe’s side was short on defenders before Fabian Schar was sent off and banned for three games. Marc Guehi’s transfer from Crystal Palace hangs in the balance on deadline day and would likely come too late to help the team on Sunday.
Tottenham focus, team news
OUT: Dominic Solanke (ankle) | QUESTIONABLE: Destiny Udogie (undisclosed), Micky van de Ven (knee)
Postecoglou made three key changes to his team from week 1 to 2: Yves Bissouma was brought back into the team from club suspension; Dejan Kulusevski was paired up with James Maddison in midfield; and Wilson Odobert took to the left wing after signing from Burnley earlier in the week. All three players were excellent against Everton and will be very difficult for Postecoglou to drop based on performance. Defender Micky van de Ven tweaked his knee in a scary situation but finished the game and is expected to be available this weekend.
Newcastle vs Tottenham prediction
