The Sun

Meet Arsenal and Tottenham's stunning Wags ahead of the North London derby, from Jude Law's ex to a mother of twins

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ARSENAL travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the North London derby on Sunday with all to play for.

The Gunners lost their 100 per cent record after a 1-1 draw at home to Brighton.

It was a game Mikel Arteta's side could easily have lost after Declan Rice's controversial second-half red card.

While Spurs would have been equally as disappointed with their last outing - beaten by Newcastle at St James' Park 2-1.

Watching matters closely will be the player's Wags.

Let SunSport introduce you to the beauties, including one who had a romance with Hollywood star Jude Law.

Tatiana Trouboul

Tatiana used to work in a nightclub before she met Spain goalkeeper David Raya.

The Kim Kardashian lookalike also scored paid jobs as a model.

But, she has kept her personal life private in regards to her romance with Raya, although they have matching tattoos.

They reportedly began dating in 2021. However, they didn't go public with their relationship until June 2022.

Kennedy Alexa

Stunner Kennedy lived in Los Angeles before she was swept off her feet by Tottenham's James Maddison.

They have since had three children together - Leo Cruz in 2021, and twins Rome and Delilah.

The model was championed on social media by mums for showing off her stretch marks from her last pregnancy, admitting they were tough to embrace but how proud she was to give birth to three healthy children.

Kennedy has since returned to fashion photoshoots and is more in demand than ever.

Claudia Kiwior

Stunning blonde Claudia is the flamboyant twerking wife of Arsenal's Polish defender Jakub Kiwior.

She goes under the stage name Redheaded and has her own clothing label aimed at dancers.

Claudia is a competitive twerker - and won the Queen of Twerking Competition in Germany in 2017, and was a semi-finalist in the European Twerk Champions in 2018.

She is a regular in the stands at the Emirates - cheering her beau on.

Paula Lense

Blonde Paula has been with Timo Werner since 2017, when he played for RB Leipzig.

But, they reveal very little about their personal life and keep their romance private.

The pair did get engaged, and is not known if they married or not.

However, she did recently share images of the pair enjoying a glam trip to Los Angeles.

Catherine Harding

Brunette beauty Catherine was one of the stars of Amazon Prime's Married to the Game docu series.

The Irish beauty, who is married to Jorginho, has previous with reality TV.

She famous appeared as a contestant on The Voice - and was mentored Ollie Murs.

Harding also had a romance with Jude Law, fathering a daughter called Ada with the Hollywood star.

Karen Romero

Karen is the wife of Tottenham hard man Cristian Romero.

However, she likes to remain out of the limelight and prefers to keep her Instagram account private.

They reportedly began dating in 2018, when Romero was playing in Serie A.

Cristian and Karen said their 'I do's' in 2020, before welcoming a son a year later.

Back in May, they revealed a second child is on the way.

Milly White

Milly and Ben White have enjoyed a whirlwind romance.

The Gunners right-back got together with the Instagram model in 2022.

White wasted very little time before popping the question on a luxury holiday

The happy couple shared pictures of their engagement, including one of their matching 'I love you' wrist tattoos.

Then, in May 2023 the pair were married at a private ceremony at the Old Marylebone Town Hall in London.

Ioana Stan

Ioana joined boyfriend Radu Dragusin in London, after signing from Genoa in the winter transfer window in 2024.

And she settled into life in North London by playing Tottenham Monopoly.

She's an aspiring architect who has been studying the skill at university.

The beauty has been appearing on Dragusin's Instagram since 2021 .

Tolami Benson

Tolami works in public relations and is the Senior Planning Executive of Zenith.

According to her LinkedIn, Tolami studied at Birmingham City University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Public Relations and Media Public Relations.

She was spotted supporting beau Bukayo Saka at the Euros in Germany.

While the PR is also a regular at the Emirates.

Eldina Ahmic

Bosnian beauty Eldina began dating Dejan Kulusevski in 2020, when the Spurs ace played for Serie A giants Parma.

Football must have been a hot topic for the pair, because at the time she played for Swedish side, IF Brommapojkarna.

Last December, Kulusevksi scored in the 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest and dedicated the goal to his wife and future child.

Stuffing the ball underneath his jersey, he then proceeded to make the heart sign with his hands.

Their first child was born back in April.

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Distraught Arsenal fans cry 'cancel the season' after finding out who referee is for Tottenham clash

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DISTRAUGHT Arsenal fans cried “cancel the season” after discovering who will ref their upcoming derby against Tottenham.

Mikel Arteta’s man head into the clash with a number of major absences following their 1-1 draw with Brighton.

Declan Rice was sent off in that game, meaning he will miss the Spurs encounter through suspension.

New boy Mikel Merino is out for two months with a freak shoulder injury.

Captain Martin Odegaard has become the latest casualty after turning his ankle while playing for Norway.

There’s further concerns at the back too, with Riccardo Calafiori forced off for Italy.

And Arteta could be forced to cobble together a new-look XI which may feature Raheem Sterling.

However, some Arsenal fans reckon it doesn’t matter who takes to the field on Sunday.

That’s because referee Jarred Gillett was confirmed as the main official for the occasion.

Arsenal have a history with Gillett, who took charge of their controversial 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa last season.

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John McGinn scored the only goal in December’s encounter between the two sides.

But Arsenal felt they were hard done by, with Gillett refusing to award a penalty for a foul by Douglas Luiz on Gabriel Jesus in Villa’s box.

With just moments of the game remaining, Kai Havertz then bundled home a timely equaliser at Villa Park.

Yet his effort was immediately chalked off by Gillett for handball.

Replays showed the ball had ricocheted off both Havertz and Cash in a frenzied bundle.

But VAR decided not to intervene and stood by Gillett’s initial call.

Arteta was left raging at the final whistle, saying: “Clear and obvious, clear and obvious.

“That’s what I mean. That’s my opinion, that’s all I can say.”

And Arsenal fans are now bracing themselves to be on the receiving end of more questionable calls.

One said: “Cancel the season.”

Another declared: “This is a Gabriel red card and a Spurs penalty.”

One noted: “Are you f***ing kidding me?”

Another added: “I think we are finished for Sunday.”

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Harry Kane reveals how close he came to being RELEASED by Tottenham as a kid after already being rejected by Arsenal

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HARRY KANE came close to being released by Tottenham as a kid, the England captain has revealed.

The forward had already been rejected by Arsenal when he joined Spurs' academy in 2004.

His arrival came following a spell with Watford after the Gunners let him go as an eight-year-old two years earlier.

Although he would go on to become the club's record goalscorer, Kane could have left Spurs before even making the first-team.

Speaking during the Three Lions' pre-match press conference on Monday, he explained: "I was eight when I was released by Arsenal. That might have built a bit of desire to prove them wrong.

"And when I first came to Spurs, I was close to being released.

"I was never the guy who everyone thought was going to do what I’ve done.

"I went on loan but still had to fight for my place, fight for the opportunity to show I could play at the level I wanted to.

"There have always been people who doubted me."

Kane was later loaned out four times to Leyton Orient, Millwall, Norwich and Leicester before breaking into the side at Spurs.

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He went on to become the club's all-time top scorer, though, with 280 goals in 435 appearances.

Of those strikes, 14 came in North London derbies against bitter rivals Arsenal.

Now playing in Germany for Bayern Munich, Kane will reach another landmark on Tuesday.

The 31-year-old is set to start England's Nations League clash with Finland at Wembley Stadium.

In doing so, he will pick up his 100th senior cap for the Three Lions to move closer to Peter Shilton's record of 125.

Kane has already surpassed Wayne Rooney to become the country's leading goalscorer.

His penalty against the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-final extended his record tally to 66, having broken Rooney's record 16 months earlier.

And he wants to set the bar even higher.

Asked about getting a ton of international goals, Kane replied: “It is definitely possible. I am in a good place and this is a good target to try to reach.

“Some may see it as unrealistic but I would rather go for it and not quite make it than be comfortable saying, ‘I will be happy with 70 or 80 goals’.”

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Former Premier League and Brazil star breaks down uncontrollably in tears as he announces retirement aged 36

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FORMER Premier League star Paulinho broke down in tears as he announced his retirement from football.

The Brazilian starred for Tottenham between 2013 and 2015 and played over 50 times for his national side.

Paulinho, 36, has now hung up his boots for the last time with an emotional video on social media.

He captioned the post: "Thank you football."

Speaking in the video, in which he struggles to talk, he said: "I was privileged to have been a multi-champion and to have won important things, as well as playing in two World Cups and playing for Barcelona.

"I left a great legacy.

"In my last game with Corinthians, with 45,000 Corinthians fans, I felt it would be my last game.

"There would be no better way to say goodbye."

The midfielder has been swamped with tributes from fans and his former team-mates.

One shared: "Congrats bro, an example of a player without a doubt!"

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A second wrote: "Thanks for everything brother! You're a monster. Football. Thank you."

A third commented: "Congratulations on the beautiful career, your career is written and will never be erased."

A fourth said: "Congratulations on a wonderful career! Let's fly even higher, you deserve it!"

Another added: "His legacy is immense."

Paulinho joined Tottenham as part of the club's attempts to replace Gareth Bale after the Welshman joined Real Madrid.

The Brazilian failed to show his best form in North London and left the club for the Chinese side Guangzhou FC after two seasons.

However, in 2017, he made a shock return to European football as he signed for Barcelona in a £33million deal.

During his time in Spain, he won the LaLiga title and Copa del Rey in 2018.

He then returned to Guangzhou on an initial loan deal, which was then made permanent for £35m in 2019.

He left the club yet again in 2021 after he was released from his contract due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

After a spell in Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli, he returned to Brazilian side Corinthians, where he made his name, in 2022.

But after two years with the club, he has called time on his career.

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'I'm crying SO hard... dream on' - Fans can't believe their eyes as they spot odds on Tottenham to win the Europa League

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TOTTENHAM have been made the favourites to win this season's Europa League.

However, fans have been left rubbing their eyes after seeing the odds on Spurs to lift the trophy.

Ange Postecoglou's side make their return to Europe later this month after finishing fifth in the Premier League last season.

Spurs are looking to end their 16-year wait for a trophy by winning the Europa League for a third time.

They previously lifted it twice under the Uefa Cup banner, most recently in 1984.

Following the draw for this season's league phase, Spurs were revealed as 9/2 favourites to go on and win the competition.

The North London club are fancied ahead of Manchester United and Roma at 5/1 and 8/1, respectively.

Supporters are not convinced, though, with one commenting: "Nah. Spurs can’t be favourites to win anything."

Another added: "How on God’s green earth have Spurs ever been favourites for any competition."

A third fan also wrote: "Tottenham favourites. Got to be joking ain’t you."

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Meanwhile, one more said: "I’m crying so hard… dream on."

Spurs' trophy drought dates back to their 2008 League Cup triumph under Juande Ramos.

They have since reached the final three more times, losing all three, along with their defeat in the Champions League showpiece in 2019.

This season's revamped Europa League will see Postecoglou's side play eight times during the opening stage, starting on September 26.

Azerbaijan's Qarabag visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on matchday one after the fixtures were revealed last week.

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Tottenham suffer major Europa League blow with key man suspended after getting red card two seasons ago

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TOTTENHAM'S Europa League hopes have been hit by a long-delayed ban for a key defender.

Cristian Romero will miss Spurs' group opener against Qarabag on September 26 - due to being sent off in the Champions League TWO SEASONS ago.

Uefa have confirmed that European bans can kick in as late as two years after an offence - which adds to headaches at the back for Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou.

Romero was sent off for two bookings in Spurs' last European adventure, in March 2023.

Having lost 1-0 away to AC Milan in the Champions League round-of-16, the Argentinian World Cup-winner's woe then helped kill off their hopes in the second leg.

Romero, now 26, earned his first yellow card after just 17 minutes of a poor Tottenham display.

And a reckless challenge on Theo Hernandez late on meant his second booking in a tame 0-0 draw.

Spurs have been out of Europe since then, so it's only now that Romero's suspension comes into play.

His absence at home to Azerbaijan Premier League side Qarabag later this month means Postecoglou could face selection problems at centre-back.

Dutch centre-back Micky van de Ven has been troubled by injury.

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However, Postecoglou is confident the 23-year-old will be back by the end of September.

He said: "Micky was close in training this week but with the international break he's not quite 100 per cent."

Radu Dragusin is Tottenham's other main option in central defence.

And if needed Ben Davies, usually a left-back, could switch inside.

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Kyle Walker reveals former England star 'couldn't stop crying' after manager sacking with whole dressing room in tears

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KYLE WALKER revealed the whole Tottenham dressing room burst into tears when former boss Andre Villas-Boas was sacked.

Villas-Boas was given his marching orders after a chastening 5-0 home defeat against Liverpool in December 2013 - but one former England star was particularly distraught.

The Manchester City defender, who spent eight years at Spurs between 2009-17, described his former manager as "so, so nice".

On the latest episode of the You'll Never Beat Kyle Walker podcast, he said: "I can remember when he left, Levy sacked him and he came downstairs and was sort of crying in front of us.

"He started crying. I’ve got tears running down my eyes... Michael Dawson is welling up and couldn't stop crying, like emotionally crying.

"Because that's how much he meant to the lads. Now we probably did not do him justice on the pitch because that's why he got the sack.

"But for 10 or 12 men to be crying because the manager's gone. He's done something well in the dressing room and I think a footballer's side is connected with us as well."

England defender Dawson was Tottenham's captain at the time and was particularly close with Villas-Boas.

Walker - who is now managed by the fair but ruthless Pep Guardiola - also explained that perhaps Villas-Boas was "too nice" and would text players on their birthdays.

The England star added: "I think that [niceness] probably killed him."

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Villas-Boas enjoyed a good first season at White Hart Lane during 2012-13, taking Spurs to the brink of the Champions League with a squad that included an emergent Gareth Bale.

But Bale was sold to Real Madrid for £85.3 million after the North London side missed out on qualification for Europe’s elite competition by one point to rivals Arsenal.

The Welshman's fee - a world record at the time - was invested badly and Villas-Boas soon found himself under pressure, with Luka Modric sold to Madrid for £33m during the previous summer.

Spurs replaced Bale with Christian Eriksen, Paulinho, Roberto Soldado, Nacer Chadli, Etienne Capoue, Erik Lamela and Vlad Chiriches.

Walker admitted he regrets the fact the team did not perform well enough to keep Villas-Boas in his job.

The 34-year-old added: "Bale was a massive, massive loss.

"They signed seven players off the back of the Bale money. There's a lot of changes there and we just never really gelled in time for the manager to then do well."

Walker left Spurs for Man City in 2017 for £45m, where he established himself as one of the world’s best right-backs, and became the Etihad's captain at the start of last season.

Meanwhile, Villas-Boas took over at Zenit Saint Petersburg shortly after leaving the Premier League, going on to manage Shanghai SIPG and most recently Marseille in Ligue 1.

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Meet Tottenham wonderkid Will Lankshear, 19, who has been compared with Harry Kane and released by bitter rivals Arsenal

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JAMES MADDISON summed up just how much excitement there is at Tottenham over the club’s clutch of teenage talents right now.

The England midfielder told assistant boss Matt Wells he “could not believe” how good they were earlier this summer.

Striker Will Lankshear leads that group - which also includes 17-year-old wonderkid Mikey Moore.

The centre-forward, 19, won the Premier League 2 player of the year last season and has impressed Ange Postecoglou so much in pre-season, there is a chance he could be in the first-team picture this term.

HOW DO THEY PLAY AND WHO DO THEY REMIND YOU OF?

AN exciting, young English striker released by Arsenal and picked up by Tottenham - where have we heard that one before?

Comparisons between Harry Kane and current Spurs starlet Lankshear are not hard to draw, and not just because of their similar path across North London at academy level.

Lankshear, 19, has echoes of Kane in his physique, his willingness to improve and his predatory instincts inside the penalty box.

He has even celebrated scoring goals in a similar manner to the England captain, with that little jump and fist pump, although their all-round playing style differs.

It goes without saying that no one in N17 is expecting Lankshear to emulate Kane’s historic feats - that would be ridiculous and unfair pressure to put on any young player.

TELL US ABOUT HIS RISE

Lankshear began his footballing journey in the Arsenal academy along with older brother Alex Lankshear, 21 and now of Blackpool.

Yet the Gunners made the questionable decision to let Will go in the summer of 2021 - perhaps because of a change in academy manager at the time, with Per Mertesacker arriving - just as they did all those years ago with a nine-year-old Kane.

Lankshear quickly shook off the disappointment and moved north to join Sheffield United.

The Blades scouts had been tipped off that Arsenal were not going to offer a deal and invited Lankshear in on a trial, where he impressed with his attitude and work-rate.

They agreed a scholarship contract in February 2021, with Lankshear valuing how the Yorkshire side had a track record of successfully moulding other physical centre-forwards such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Lankshear struck up a strong relationship with academy boss and former EFL striker Jack Lester, who regularly coached the forwards, including Daniel Jebbison and William Osula, now of Premier League pair Bournemouth and Newcastle respectively.

Lankshear, 19, has echoes of Kane in his physique, his willingness to improve and his predatory instincts inside the penalty box.

It was not long until he was training up with Paul Heckingbottom’s first team and it was in the Steel City where he honed his physical prowess, speed and agility.

Lankshear hit a hat-trick on his Blades’ Under-18s debut in a 4-1 win over Coventry and ended up with more than 30 goals at that level.

But when United encountered financial problems in the summer of 2022, they saw selling Lankshear as a chance to earn a quick return on a player that had cost them nothing.

Tottenham got him in a deal that could rise to £2.5million if all clauses are met was the first time Spurs had spent big on a teenager from the EFL since prising Dele Alli from MK Dons in 2015.

Lankshear was attracted to the world-class facilities at Spurs’ training ground and loved the idea of learning from record-scorer Kane, with whom he spent a season before the England captain’s move to Bayern Munich last August.

Yet his first six months in N17 were spent on the sidelines after an operation on his knee.

It meant that going into last season, all Lankshear was hoping for was an injury-free campaign - but he got so much more: ending up the Premier League 2 player of the season after his 21 goals and two assists in 22 games helped Spurs to the title.

Tellingly about his character, Lankshear showed his team-mates with praise when interviewed in May about his gong.

The youngster told Spurs’ website: “I’m proud of the goals I’ve scored but it’s all come from the team.

“The quality we’ve got in this team has definitely helped me and definitely I wouldn’t have got my top goalscorer without my team-mates.”

Lankshear could get more first-team opportunities this season given that there will be more fixtures - and scored in the EFL Trophy against Bristol Rovers last month.

He damaged his hamstring in that match but is expected to be fit by the end of the international break.

WHAT ARE THE EXPERTS SAYING?

Paul Heckingbottom coached Lankshear at Sheffield United.

The 47-year-old told SunSport: “He was hungry. He was just what we were all about.

“Jack Lester quickly picked up on his movement in and around the box and thinking like a goalscorer which I think is his biggest attribute.

The way that Ange plays, having a No9 occupying centre-backs and trying to play on the shoulder and being good in the box is a big, big thing... Will can do that

Paul Heckingbottom

“When we were coaching him and putting on a session for the centre-backs, him and his movement could destroy a session. His instincts constantly caused problems as a coach and as a defender.

“The way that Ange plays, having a No9 occupying centre-backs and trying to play on the shoulder and being good in the box is a big, big thing. Will can do that.

“He makes good runs off the shoulder and he’s all about being alert and alive in the box and finishing chances.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes out on loan and see him scoring goals in the EFL.”

WHAT DOES THE NEXT 12 MONTHS HOLD?

Dane Scarlett and Alejo Veliz were ahead in the pecking when the players returned in July but Lankshear’s energy and cameo displays off the bench saw him supersede those two, who have since been loaned respectively to Oxford and Espanyol.

Lankshear, who has six goals in pre-season, could and probably will be farmed out too, with Birmingham boss Chris Davies - Postecoglou’s No2 last season - keen to borrow him.

But it is not for certain yet and if Richarlison does leave this window - despite the Brazilian stating snubbing a money-spinning move to Saudi Arabia and publicly stating his desire to stay - then Lankshear could well be the back-up to £65million new-boy Dominic Solanke.

The 19-year-old’s ability to find space in the box and finish, which he showed in pre-season goals against Hearts and Team K League, seems a good fit for Postecoglou’s attacking approach which carves out plenty of close-range opportunities for the central striker.

He would likely have the support of his team-mates too, with Lankshear understood to have felt like he’s been accepted by the senior pros in the dressing room.

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Forgotten former Tottenham flop joins up with ex-Premier League stars Fabinho and Kante in Saudi after shock transfer

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FORMER Tottenham flop Steven Bergwijn has left Europe for Saudi Arabia.

The Ajax forward will join up with ex-Premier League stars Fabinho and N'Golo Kante at Al-Ittihad.

The Saudi Pro League outfit has signed Bergwijn, 26, for a fee worth £17.7million.

Al-Ittihad was able to continue transfer business over the weekend despite the English transfer window closing on Friday.

The Saudi Pro League transfer window slammed shut last night but the club were able to seal the deal before it shut.

Ajax confirmed Bergwijn's departure and transfer fee three years before his contract was due to expire.

A club statement confirmed: "Ajax and Al-Ittihad have reached an agreement on the transfer of Steven Bergwijn.

"The winger’s contract with Ajax was due to run until 30 June 2027.

"Ajax will receive a transfer fee of over €21million (£17.7m) from the Saudi Arabian club."

Technical director Alex Kroes said: "Steven and Ajax have made no secret of the fact that, if a good offer came from abroad, he would make the move.

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"That has now happened at the last minute, giving the club the necessary financial flexibility to hopefully bring in a suitable replacement in the short term.

"We have wished our captain from last season much success in the next stage of his career."

The forward appears to be Al-Ittihad's backup choice after the club had a loan bid rejected for Arsenal's Leandro Trossard.

Bergwijn joined Ajax in 2022 from Tottenham and went on to make 80 appearances for the club, scoring 29 goals.

During his two-and-a-half years at Spurs, he managed just eight goals in 83 appearances in all competitions.

Bergwijn had been continuously linked back with a move to the Premier League after rediscovering his form in Holland.

West Ham and Southampton were named as potential destinations, but he has opted to switch to Saudi Arabia.

He will now be playing under French legend Laurent Blanc and line-up alongside the likes of Karim Benzema, Moussa Diaby and Houssem Aouar.

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Newcastle 2 Tottenham 1: Ange Postecoglou's side made to rue missed chances as Alexander Isak bags late winner

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ALEXANDER ISAK spared Nick Pope’s blushes as Newcastle continued their unbeaten start to the season.

It was a rope-a-dope performance, but Eddie Howe will not care one bit as Ange Postecoglou’s decision to go for it was punished.

This fixture always promises goals, with the last goalless draw between these two coming in the 1970s, and it did not take long for this clash to burst into life.

Two huge banners dominated the Gallowgate End prior to kick off to welcome the return of Sandro Tonali.

However, the 'Midfield maestro from Milano' had to settle for a place on the bench for this one but that failed to put a dampener on things.

Son Heung-min failed to clear a corner and was robbed by Isak, with the Swede chipping it towards the back post, only to see it clip the woodwork.

Anthony Gordon then cut inside Cristian Romero to find Harvey Barnes, but this time the winger’s bending effort whistled past the far post from 25 yards.

But Toon’s momentum was halted after a break in play when injured referee assistant Ian Hussin was replaced by fourth official Darren Bond due to a thigh problem.

That allowed Spurs to regroup, and Pape Matar Sarr forced Pope into a diving save from distance before another long-ranger went over.

But Newcastle survived their spell on the backfoot to take the lead when Llyod Kelly ran down the left into the box and pulled it back into the middle for Barnes.

The 26-year-old then showed superb technique as he opened up his body to place it on the volley into the far corner to send the home crowd wild.

Tottenham tried to respond and put more pressure on the home defence but, much to Postecoglou’s frustration, his side could not create any clear-cut chances.

So it was Newcastle who held the advantage come the break, but Howe still had several concerns.

Kelly’s name had gone into the book after retaliating to being nutmegged by Son by tugging at the South Korean’s shirt.

And he was joined in there by Sean Longstaff and Joelinton, leaving all three walking a tightrope going into the second period.

In an attempt to try and spice up his attack, Postecoglou replaced Sarr with Brennan Johnson, giving his team licence to go forward but leaving them open at the back.

And they almost got caught twice before the equaliser, but the Spurs boss had Radu Dragusin to thank for keeping his side in it.

Isak beat the offside trap to get in behind the defence and race through on goal as St James’ held its collective breath seconds after the restart.

The Swedish striker had support but opted to go it alone, only to be denied as he pulled the trigger by a brilliant Dragusin sliding tackle.

And it proved to be a vital moment as Spurs took complete control as Postecoglou’s bold decision to go for it paid dividends with Johnson at the heart of it.

Not even the ardent Geordie could deny that it had been coming, especially after Pedro Porro had rattled the bar.

James Maddison got the ball out left and cut inside just in the area to curl it towards the opposite bottom corner.

Pope dived but could only palm it straight into the path of Johnson, and the Welsh forward rifled it back across the goalline past the despairing keeper as Dan Burn ended up blasting it into his own net as he tried to clear on the line.

The England international will know he could do better, but he made amends by stopping Maddison and Porro later.

Isak with the late winner

Newcastle were struggling to get out of their half as Bruno Guimaraes went into the book as frustrations threatened to boil over.

Howe responded by replacing his goalscorer with Jacob Murphy, while Tonali made his Premier League return for Longstaff and Lewis Hall took over from Kelly.

Murphy almost caught Spurs out after a rare attack only for Guglielmo Vicario to deny him at the near post.

But it was Johnson’s introduction down the right for Tottenham that looked to have changed everything and he almost forced another own goal, only this time Bruno’s clearance trickled wide.

Postecoglou smelt blood, and he went for it as Timo Werner came on for Wilson Odobert, but it would be his men that suffered a late knockout blow as their high-line was caught out.

Joelinton spotted the defence high and threaded a perfect through ball for Murphy to dart through towards Vicario.

The sub powered forward towards the goalie before correctly deciding to slip it to his left ten yards out for the onrushing Isak to poke into the empty net.

Spurs huffed and puffed for a way back, but after five nervous minutes of additional time, the whistle finally went to the relief of Howe.

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