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De Zerbi has refused to lay blame on Tonali despite the midfielder's difficult start to life in North London. The Italian international, who became Spurs' first-ever nine-figure signing this summer, was at the centre of a storm during the 2-0 loss to Newcastle. After being rested for the midweek cup victory over Charlton to improve his physical conditioning, Tonali looked off the pace and was partially responsible for Anthony Elanga’s opening goal before being withdrawn in the 75th minute to cheers from the visiting supporters.

Despite the scrutiny, De Zerbi was adamant in his support for the player. "No, I love Sandro Tonali," De Zerbi said following the match. "Today is the day where my emotion for my players is bigger than the other days because we are building together the club, Vinai (Venkatesham), Johan Lange, the owners, me and they (the players) are like our children. So, this day is so sad. We are all of us very disappointed for the result, but I love my players more today than the next win we will make. I believe more than the Brentford game of our project, I believe in our players."

The mystery surrounding Tonali’s fitness continues to linger, especially given he featured in pre-season friendlies against Chelsea, Getafe, and Hoffenheim. De Zerbi acknowledged that the former AC Milan and Newcastle man is not yet operating at his peak level but insisted he remains a cornerstone of the new-look Spurs side. The manager is currently balancing the integration of several key figures who returned late to the squad following international commitments and injury layoffs, adding another layer of complexity to his early tactical setup.

"I think (Omar) Marmoush for the first game played very well," De Zerbi explained. "It was the first game for Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro, they came late and they are crucial for this team, after the World Cup, after two injuries. Sandro Tonali is another crucial player. He is not in the right condition, in the best condition yet, maybe physically."

Beyond the individual struggles of Tonali, De Zerbi is facing a systemic issue regarding how his team reacts to adversity. Tottenham have now lost every game in which they have conceded the first goal under the Italian’s short tenure, a trend that predates his arrival. The statistic is damning; one has to go back nearly two years to November 2024 to find the last time Spurs conceded first in the Premier League and went on to win the match. This psychological fragility was evident as soon as Newcastle took the lead through Elanga.

De Zerbi was brutally honest about the lack of resilience shown by his squad. "After the goal we conceded, I think we lost the confidence. The reaction was not good enough," he admitted. "Not the reaction I want to see on the pitch and I said immediately after the end of the game, to the players, because when you are building something new, it’s tough, there are problems."

The pressure is already mounting on the Spurs boss after two consecutive defeats to start the new Premier League campaign. With a significant financial outlay over the summer, the expectation is for immediate improvement, yet De Zerbi has warned that cultural changes within a club cannot be bought. The manager is clearly focused on the long-term project, viewing his players as part of a family unit that needs protection during these early growing pains, even as the £100m price tag on Tonali invites constant external evaluation. "You can’t buy winning mentality in the transfer market," De Zerbi noted, highlighting the intangible qualities he feels are currently missing from the dressing room.

De Zerbi has dropped a major bombshell, confirming that Richarlison, Kevin Danso, and Pape Matar Sarr have submitted transfer requests. The revelation came shortly after Matthias Jaissle’s Newcastle United inflicted a 2-0 defeat on Spurs in north London. Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa struck in the second half to secure the points for the Magpies, deepening the early-season gloom at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

All three players were omitted from the matchday squad on Saturday. While Sarr is currently managing a minor hamstring issue, the primary reason for their absence stems from their desire to seek new challenges before Tuesday's transfer deadline. ESPN reports Juventus are already exploring a potential deal for Sarr.

The 2-0 loss extends a torrid start to the campaign for Spurs. Having suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Brentford on the opening weekend, Tottenham have now failed to score while losing their first two league matches for the first time since the 1974-75 season.

De Zerbi did not hold back when explaining the absence of his senior players. The Italian tactician clarified that anyone wishing to depart must ensure interested clubs meet Tottenham's valuation.

"Richarlison, I don't know. He said too many times he wants to leave," De Zerbi explained to reporters. "Danso came to me two days ago and he said he wants to leave. Pape Sarr the same but he suffered a small injury, but he is almost ready to train."

Despite the disruption, De Zerbi maintained that there is no bad blood between himself and the departing trio. "I love these players, and they are great guys. I have very good relationships," he added. "But if they want to leave, they have to bring the economic solution to the club, and they can go and we find other players."

Tottenham spent upwards of £350 million on eight new signings this summer in a bid to drastically overhaul a squad that narrowly avoided relegation last term. The high-profile arrivals include £100m midfielder Sandro Tonali, who endured a miserable, jeer-filled reunion against former club Newcastle, and Omar Marmoush, who missed a glaring opportunity on his debut.

Despite the massive financial outlay and back-to-back defeats, De Zerbi is urging fans to trust the process. He stressed that integrating a heavily rotated squad takes time, acknowledging that his project remains in its infancy.

"There is no panic. I know where we are going and what the plan is," De Zerbi added. "I have a big, big confidence in the qualities of my players. At the end, when we become a team, when we improve the connection between the players.

"I'm sorry for the fans for the environment because after two defeats maybe somebody can think it is the same history, the same as the last two seasons. I have no doubt it is not like this."

He continued: "Nothing change because they are too good [a group of] players. I'm sorry for the club because they are building a great squad. But maybe now, we are not ready yet, for many, many reasons we are not ready yet."

Tottenham face a chaotic few days before the transfer window closes on Tuesday. The club hierarchy must swiftly resolve the futures of Richarlison, Danso, and Sarr, while potentially dipping back into the market to secure last-minute replacements to balance the squad.

On the pitch, De Zerbi faces the daunting task of quickly establishing tactical cohesion among his expensive new signings. With the team already lacking confidence and failing to find the back of the net, Spurs desperately need a positive result in their next fixture to prevent the current anxiety from escalating into a full-blown crisis.

De Zerbi has dropped a major bombshell, confirming that Richarlison, Kevin Danso, and Pape Matar Sarr have submitted transfer requests. The revelation came shortly after Matthias Jaissle’s Newcastle United inflicted a 2-0 defeat on Spurs in north London. Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa struck in the second half to secure the points for the Magpies, deepening the early-season gloom at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

All three players were omitted from the matchday squad on Saturday. While Sarr is currently managing a minor hamstring issue, the primary reason for their absence stems from their desire to seek new challenges before Tuesday's transfer deadline. ESPN reports Juventus are already exploring a potential deal for Sarr.

The 2-0 loss extends a torrid start to the campaign for Spurs. Having suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat to Brentford on the opening weekend, Tottenham have now failed to score while losing their first two league matches for the first time since the 1974-75 season.

De Zerbi did not hold back when explaining the absence of his senior players. The Italian tactician clarified that anyone wishing to depart must ensure interested clubs meet Tottenham's valuation.

"Richarlison, I don't know. He said too many times he wants to leave," De Zerbi explained to reporters. "Danso came to me two days ago and he said he wants to leave. Pape Sarr the same but he suffered a small injury, but he is almost ready to train."

Despite the disruption, De Zerbi maintained that there is no bad blood between himself and the departing trio. "I love these players, and they are great guys. I have very good relationships," he added. "But if they want to leave, they have to bring the economic solution to the club, and they can go and we find other players."

Tottenham spent upwards of £350 million on eight new signings this summer in a bid to drastically overhaul a squad that narrowly avoided relegation last term. The high-profile arrivals include £100m midfielder Sandro Tonali, who endured a miserable, jeer-filled reunion against former club Newcastle, and Omar Marmoush, who missed a glaring opportunity on his debut.

Despite the massive financial outlay and back-to-back defeats, De Zerbi is urging fans to trust the process. He stressed that integrating a heavily rotated squad takes time, acknowledging that his project remains in its infancy.

"There is no panic. I know where we are going and what the plan is," De Zerbi added. "I have a big, big confidence in the qualities of my players. At the end, when we become a team, when we improve the connection between the players.

"I'm sorry for the fans for the environment because after two defeats maybe somebody can think it is the same history, the same as the last two seasons. I have no doubt it is not like this."

He continued: "Nothing change because they are too good [a group of] players. I'm sorry for the club because they are building a great squad. But maybe now, we are not ready yet, for many, many reasons we are not ready yet."

Tottenham face a chaotic few days before the transfer window closes on Tuesday. The club hierarchy must swiftly resolve the futures of Richarlison, Danso, and Sarr, while potentially dipping back into the market to secure last-minute replacements to balance the squad.

On the pitch, De Zerbi faces the daunting task of quickly establishing tactical cohesion among his expensive new signings. With the team already lacking confidence and failing to find the back of the net, Spurs desperately need a positive result in their next fixture to prevent the current anxiety from escalating into a full-blown crisis.

Manchester City are making a serious move for Cody Gakpo. According to Fabrizio Romano, the English giants have now reached a personal agreement with the Liverpool forward and see the Netherlands international as an important addition to strengthen their attack.

Liverpool and City are currently discussing the transfer fee. Gakpo's versatility appeals to manager Enzo Maresca. The 27-year-old forward can play on either wing and can also operate as a striker.

Meanwhile, Liverpool do not want to let Gakpo leave. The club will only cooperate with a transfer if they sign a worthy replacement first. Bradley Barcola has now emerged as an important attacking reinforcement within reach.

Ismaïla Sarr is also firmly on Liverpool's radar. The English giants want the Crystal Palace forward. According to Romano, they have already made a bid worth an estimated €58 million for him.

Interest in Yankuba Minteh, by contrast, appears to have cooled. Liverpool saw an opening bid of £50 million rejected, then Brighton threw an improved bid of £60 million in the bin as well.

That leaves Gakpo in an interesting position. Tottenham Hotspur are also interested in the Netherlands international and already reached a personal agreement with the Netherlands international in July. Gakpo remains under contract at Anfield until the middle of 2030.

This fixture maintained its proud, unbroken streak of producing goals in every Premier League meeting since the 1992 revamp, courtesy of a brilliant 62nd-minute breakthrough. £52m summer signing Nico Gonzalez provided the spark on his Newcastle debut, playing a key role in setting up the opening goal after his arrival from Manchester City.

Gonzalez picked out Amar Dedic, whose sharp header picked out Anthony Elanga in space. Building on his goal against Liverpool the previous weekend, the Swedish international calmly created room inside the area - elegantly turning away from former Newcastle teammate Sandro Tonali before drilling a precise low strike home.

Newcastle put the game effectively beyond reach for a struggling Tottenham side just 10 minutes later with a moment of brilliant execution. A well-placed corner saw Nick Woltemade outjump the Spurs defense to nod the set-piece back across the penalty box into the path of Yoane Wissa, who finished with flair to double the visitors' lead.

The defeat condemned Tottenham to an unwanted piece of history. According to Opta, Spurs have now failed to score while losing their opening two matches of a league campaign for the first time in 52 years, echoing a dismal start not seen since the 1974-75 season.

It could have been a very different afternoon for Roberto De Zerbi's side had they taken their chances while the scoreline was still level. Tottenham striker Omar Marmoush, making his debut on loan from Manchester City, had one of the best chances when it was 0-0, but somehow dragged his sidefooted effort wide from the edge of the six-yard box despite being left completely unmarked.

Despite spending over £350 million this summer to overhaul their squad following last season's dismal campaign - where they narrowly avoided relegation on the final day - Tottenham have endured a grim start to the new term. De Zerbi's side looked completely off the pace, building on a lackluster opening-day performance that saw them comfortably beaten 3-0 by Brentford.

The day's compelling narrative centered on Tonali, facing Newcastle for the first time since his record-breaking £100m summer move to Tottenham following a three-year spell on Tyneside. It proved a miserable reunion for the Italian playmaker, who was subjected to relentless jeers from the traveling supporters with every touch.

The away end took obvious pleasure in mocking their former idol as he was replaced by Dominic Solanke with Newcastle comfortably 2-0 ahead, adding insult to injury on a night to forget for the midfielder.

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How to watch Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United with a VPN

Gemini

A VPN, such as ExpressVPN, allows you to establish a secure, encrypted connection online. By virtually changing your location to a country where the game is being broadcast, you can bypass blackout restrictions and watch your favourite team live. A step-by-step guide is described later in this article, or you can also check out our guide to the best VPNs for streaming sports.

Today's game between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United will kick off at 17:30.

Step-by-step VPN guide to watch Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United today

NordVPN

Download & Install: Sign up to ExpressVPN or another reputable VPN service (check out GOAL's guide here) and download the app on your device.

Connect to a Server: Open the app and select a server location where the match is being shown (e.g. if you are in the UK but want to watch a US stream, connect to a US server).

Clear Cache: Sometimes your browser holds onto your old location. Clear your cookies or refresh your browser to ensure the change takes effect.

Start Streaming: Go to your broadcaster's website and app and enjoy the game.

How to watch on the Big Screen

Watching on your phone or laptop is fine, but live sports belongs on the big screen. Here is how to get the VPN working on your TV:

Smart TVs & Fire Stick: Most Android-based TVs and devices like the Amazon Fire TV Stick or Google Chromecast with Google TV have native VPN apps. Simply search for your VPN provider in the app store on your TV, log in, and connect just like you would on your phone.

Apple TV, Roku & Consoles: These devices often don't support direct VPN apps. The easiest workaround is to use Smart DNS (usually found in your VPN account settings) or Mirror/Cast the stream from your VPN-connected phone or laptop to your TV.

Form

Tottenham's last five matches return one win, two draws, and two losses. Their most recent outing was the 5-1 Carabao Cup victory over Charlton Athletic, though that came after a 3-0 Premier League defeat to Brentford. Pre-season friendlies against Hoffenheim produced a 2-2 draw and a 3-0 win, while Spurs drew 1-1 with Getafe. They scored 12 goals across those five matches and conceded five.

Newcastle's last five matches produce one win, one draw, and three losses. The Magpies beat West Brom 3-2 most recently, having drawn 2-2 at Liverpool on the opening Premier League weekend. Their pre-season run included a 1-1 draw with Strasbourg, a 2-1 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, and a 3-1 loss to Everton. Newcastle scored nine goals across those five games and conceded eight.

Head-to-Head Record

The most recent meeting came on February 10, 2026, when Newcastle won 1-2 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the Premier League. Before that, the sides drew 2-2 at St James' Park in December 2025. Across the last five meetings in all competitions — which also includes a 2-0 Carabao Cup win for Newcastle in October 2025, a 1-1 pre-season friendly draw in August 2025, and a 1-2 Newcastle victory at Spurs in January 2025 — Newcastle have won three, drawn two, and Tottenham have won none.

Standings

In the Premier League table, Tottenham Hotspur currently sit 18th, while Newcastle United are 11th.

Tottenham Hotspur have emerged as the latest Premier League heavyweight to register their interest in Everton’s Ndiaye. The North London side has been incredibly active during the current transfer window, already sanctioning a spend that exceeds £300 million to reshape the squad under De Zerbi.

Despite the recent arrivals of Omar Marmoush and Savio from Manchester City, the Italian tactician remains determined to secure one more high-quality wide attacker to complete his offensive unit before the deadline. While Spurs had been heavily linked with Cody Gakpo, the focus has shifted toward the Senegal international who has become one of the most exciting talents at Goodison Park - Per Foot Mercato.

The interest from Spurs sets up a fascinating three-way battle with Manchester City and Arsenal, both of whom have been monitoring the 26-year-old’s situation closely.

Speaking about his side’s transfer plans on Friday, De Zerbi said: "I didn’t expect a transfer window like we have done. I think we can do one player more in one specific position. Yesterday we went to dinner with the owners, Johan [Lange, sporting director] and Vinai [Venkatesham, chief executive] and we spoke about this. All of us are on the same page and a very good connection."

This public admission confirms that Tottenham are not finished in the market despite their record-breaking expenditure so far.

Ndiaye’s future has been the subject of intense speculation throughout the summer months. The Senegalese international appeared destined for a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League earlier in the window, with reports suggesting a move to Al-Hilal was nearly finalised before a dramatic U-turn by the player.

His desire to remain in the Premier League has invited interest from the league's elite, with Manchester City viewing him as a potential replacement for departed squad members.

Despite the growing list of admirers, Everton are in a strong negotiating position and have no intention of letting their prized asset leave for a bargain fee. The Toffees are understood to have placed a staggering £80m valuation on the Senegal star, a figure intended to ward off all but the most serious suitors.

With Ndiaye currently under contract on Merseyside until the summer of 2029, the club is under no immediate pressure to sell, even though the player recently rejected the offer of a new contract.

Asked about interest in Ndiaye, Everton boss David Moyes said on Friday: "We’re certainly not in a hurry to sell our best players, that’s for sure. As far as I know, we’ve got nothing to be concerned about, we’ve had no contact from any club. Somebody told me we had contact with Al-Hilal during the summer, we had nothing from them."

United are preparing for life after Joshua Zirkzee as the Dutch forward edges closer to an Old Trafford departure. Reports indicate that Zirkzee is pushing to leave United after a difficult spell in England, where he managed just nine goals in 75 appearances. The former Bologna man is now heavily linked with a return to Serie A as Fiorentina advancing in talks, leaving Michael Carrick in need of reinforcements.

Standing at 6ft 5in, Matanovic has emerged as the ideal candidate to fill the void, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. The 23-year-old enjoyed a productive debut campaign with Freiburg after arriving in a £6.9m deal from Eintracht Frankfurt. He finished the season with 15 goals in all competitions, narrowly missing out on silverware after Julian Schuster’s side was defeated by Aston Villa in the Europa League final.

The race for Matanovic is far from a one-horse race, as Tottenham are also credited with a strong interest in the Croatian. Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi is reportedly keen to add more height to his frontline despite already possessing the likes of Dominic Solanke and Richarlison.

Adding another layer of complexity to the transfer merry-go-round is the domino effect involving Fiorentina. Beyond their pursuit of Zirkzee, Fabio Grosso's side are also eyeing Matanovic as a potential alternative. La Viola is actively scouring the market to replace Moise Kean, who is set to join Cesc Fabregas’ Como project. Should negotiations for Zirkzee stall, Fiorentina’s pivot toward the Freiburg striker could trigger a fierce three-way bidding war.

United’s interest in a new number nine comes amid a broader reshuffle of their squad. Following the sale of Rasmus Hojlund to Napoli, the squad has looked light in central areas. While United have successfully integrated Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba into their midfield, the lack of a clinical edge was evident in their recent shock 2-0 defeat to Hull City.

Negotiations for Zirkzee’s exit are currently progressing, with Fiorentina confident of securing a season-long loan deal. If United can successfully offload the Dutch international, it would free up the necessary funds and squad space to launch a formal bid for Matanovic before Tuesday’s deadline.

Matanovic’s profile has risen sharply following his performances for both club and country. Although he failed to score in three appearances during the summer's World Cup, he has started the new season in blistering form. The striker recently netted a brace in Freiburg’s DFB-Pokal victory over Dusseldorf, further proving his readiness for a step up to a bigger stage.

For United, the arrival of Matanovic would signal a shift toward a more physical presence up front. With Tottenham also lurking and the player attracting comparisons to Croatian legend Mario Mandzukic, the battle for his signature is set to be one of the defining stories of the deadline.

United are preparing for life after Joshua Zirkzee as the Dutch forward edges closer to an Old Trafford departure. Reports indicate that Zirkzee is pushing to leave United after a difficult spell in England, where he managed just nine goals in 75 appearances. The former Bologna man is now heavily linked with a return to Serie A as Fiorentina advancing in talks, leaving Michael Carrick in need of reinforcements.

Standing at 6ft 5in, Matanovic has emerged as the ideal candidate to fill the void, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. The 23-year-old enjoyed a productive debut campaign with Freiburg after arriving in a £6.9m deal from Eintracht Frankfurt. He finished the season with 15 goals in all competitions, narrowly missing out on silverware after Julian Schuster’s side was defeated by Aston Villa in the Europa League final.

The race for Matanovic is far from a one-horse race, as Tottenham are also credited with a strong interest in the Croatian. Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi is reportedly keen to add more height to his frontline despite already possessing the likes of Dominic Solanke and Richarlison.

Adding another layer of complexity to the transfer merry-go-round is the domino effect involving Fiorentina. Beyond their pursuit of Zirkzee, Fabio Grosso's side are also eyeing Matanovic as a potential alternative. La Viola is actively scouring the market to replace Moise Kean, who is set to join Cesc Fabregas’ Como project. Should negotiations for Zirkzee stall, Fiorentina’s pivot toward the Freiburg striker could trigger a fierce three-way bidding war.

United’s interest in a new number nine comes amid a broader reshuffle of their squad. Following the sale of Rasmus Hojlund to Napoli, the squad has looked light in central areas. While United have successfully integrated Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba into their midfield, the lack of a clinical edge was evident in their recent shock 2-0 defeat to Hull City.

Negotiations for Zirkzee’s exit are currently progressing, with Fiorentina confident of securing a season-long loan deal. If United can successfully offload the Dutch international, it would free up the necessary funds and squad space to launch a formal bid for Matanovic before Tuesday’s deadline.

Matanovic’s profile has risen sharply following his performances for both club and country. Although he failed to score in three appearances during the summer's World Cup, he has started the new season in blistering form. The striker recently netted a brace in Freiburg’s DFB-Pokal victory over Dusseldorf, further proving his readiness for a step up to a bigger stage.

For United, the arrival of Matanovic would signal a shift toward a more physical presence up front. With Tottenham also lurking and the player attracting comparisons to Croatian legend Mario Mandzukic, the battle for his signature is set to be one of the defining stories of the deadline.

Tottenham have officially secured the services of Manchester City forward Marmoush on a season-long loan deal that includes a compulsory £60m obligation to buy next summer. The 27-year-old Egypt international makes the move to North London just days after his former City team-mate Savio completed a £75m switch to the same destination.

The forward expressed his excitement about joining the club, highlighting the stature of Spurs on the global stage and the influence of the head coach in his decision-making process. 'Tottenham Hotspur is one of the biggest clubs in England, if not the world, and the project was very attractive to me. I've spoken with the head coach [Roberto de Zerbi], I loved what he had to say and I'm sure our passion for the game will go very well together,' said Marmoush.

Despite arriving at Manchester City with high expectations following his £59 million move from Eintracht Frankfurt in January 2025, Marmoush found consistent game time difficult to come by due to the presence of Erling Haaland. While he managed to score 16 goals in 62 appearances across all competitions for the Citizens, his opportunities in the Premier League were often limited to cameos.

Marmoush's final appearances for City suggested he had fallen further down the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium. He was used only as a second-half substitute during City's 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield and remained an unused substitute throughout the 2-1 victory over Bournemouth last Sunday.

Spurs manager Roberto de Zerbi was full of praise for his new signing, noting that the Egyptian possesses the specific traits required to succeed in his high-intensity system. 'Omar is exactly the kind of player we want at this club - ambitious, hungry and determined to make a difference,' De Zerbi stated.

Continuing his evaluation of the player, De Zerbi added: 'He has incredible attacking quality but what I also love is his desire to improve and to win. He brings pace, intelligence and a real threat in front of goal, and I believe he can take our attacking play to another level.'