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Ally McCoist made an unexpected choice for man of the match on Saturday

McCoist was in attendance as Newcastle won 2-1 against Tottenham

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Ally McCoist made an unexpected choice for his man of the match as Newcastle beat Tottenham 2-1.

Alexander Isak scored the winner for Newcastle, with Anthony Gordon having equalised after Dominic Solanke put Tottenham ahead early on.

McCoist was in attendance for the game as part of TNT Sports' coverage.

The popular former Rangers star ended up making a decision that he hadn't previously done during his lengthy media career.

McCoist's media career stretches back to the 1998 World Cup when he was part of the BBC's punditry team having missed out on Scotland's squad for the tournament.

Since then he has covered many games for various different organisations.

McCoist made a change from convention as he gave the man of the match award to a player on the losing side - Tottenham goalkeeper Brandon Austin.

Despite Tottenham losing the game Austin seized his opportunity as he commanded his penalty area well and made some impressive interventions.

Speaking on TNT Sports, McCoist said: 'I think it might be the first time in my co-comm career that I haven’t given it to a player in the winning team.

'I’m going to give it to the Tottenham goalkeeper, I’ll tell you why. I think he’s been absolutely excellent at crosses under pressure.

'Brandon Austin man of the match, sitting with my fingers crossed that he doesn’t make an error before now and the end of the game. But for you think that somebody who has waited so long.

McCoist then praised Austin for a save to deny Harvey Barnes and highlighted just how long the goalkeeper has been waiting for his chance.

He said: 'Man of the match. Absolutely, what a save. 17 years, 7 managers, 78 times he’s sat on the bench without getting on. You cannot begrudge him that.'

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou also praised Austin after the game as he said: 'Yeah, brilliant, you know, like I said before the game, you don't know when you get your opportunity, but he got it today and it was outstanding.'

However, it remains to be seen whether Austin will get many more games for Tottenham, with the club having agreed a deal worth £12.5million plus add-ons to sign goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky from Slavia Prague.

Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon scored after Dominic Solanke's opener

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Alexander Isak fired home his 13th Premier League goal of the season to boost Newcastle's Champions League push with a fifth win on the bounce and condemn Spurs to a fifth defeat in seven.

Dominic Solanke got the hosts off to a roaring start with a header from a looping cross in front of Thomas Tuchel, who was taking in his first match as new England manager.

In a familiar turn of events for Spurs, their lead did not last long. Lucas Bergvall seemed to strike the ball onto Joelinton's arm before the Brazilian played a pass into Bruno Guimaraes, who found an on-rushing Gordon.

The England star took one touch before firing home and wheeling off in celebration but Ange Postecoglou was left furious, calling in vain for a handball.

Red-hot Alexander Isak completed the comeback towards the end of the second-half, tapping home a cross from Jacob Murphy - the Englishman's seventh assist of a fiine campaign.

After another rip-roaring encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Mail Sport's Craig Hope was on hand to run the rule over the two sets of players.

Tottenham Hotspur (4-2-3-1)

BRANDON AUSTIN: 6.5

Could maybe have done more with Gordon opener but recovered and gave decent account on debut. Dealt well with crosses, in particular, and made couple of decent saves.

PEDRO PORRO: 5.5

Provided a string of dangerous deliveries, most notably for opening goal. Good going forward, suspect going back over, as per.

RADU DRAGUSIN: 4.5

Suffering from illness and Isak, it was a difficult first half for Romanian before half-time withdrawal.

ARCHIE GRAY: 5.5

Another battling both illness and Newcastle's livewire frontmen, he struggled first half and inexperience told at times. Big block from Tonali second half.

DJED SPENCE: 5.5

Did not do enough to stop Murphy cross for Isak goal and area in behind him was targeted by visitors. Was better when moved to centre-back after half-time.

LUCAS BERGVALL: 7

The boos when his number went up on 62 minutes told you everything - he had been Spurs' best player. Smart on the ball and good industry.

PAPE SARR: 5

Worked hard but did not offer the control Spurs needed in the middle. No surprise when he was hooked after the hour.

BRENNAN JOHNSON: 6

Came into game more second half and cracked the post. Was then guilty of missing target when smashing across goal with Spurs on top.

DEJAN KULUSEVSKI: 6

Always wanted ball and tried his best to spark something for equaliser but without any joy.

TIMO WERNER: 4.5

Did well to stay on for 62 minutes. Did close to nothing, not for the first time.

DOMINIC SOLANKE: 6.5

Super start in front of Thomas Tuchel when outfoxing Botman to score inside four minutes. Was a handful at times but didn't take the half chances that came his way second half.

Substitutes:

Sergio Reguilon (on for Dragusin 46) 6.5

Heung-Min Son (on for Werner 62) 6

James Maddison (on for Bergvall 62) 6.5

Yves Bissouma (on for Sarr 62) 6.5

Manager: Ange Postecoglou 6

He bemoaned the officiating and injuries and illness, but his team simply must do better. Spirited second half but, on the whole, they didn’t deserved to win, as the boss later claimed.

Newcastle (4-3-3)

MARTIN DUBRAVKA: 7

Had saves to make - and he made them. Was also better on crosses. A solid showing when his team needed it.

TINO LIVRAMENTO: 7.5

His best game of the season after recall for Trippier. Carried the ball and used it effectively. Was also smart at the back.

SVEN BOTMAN: 7

A shaky start on return from 10 months out when losing Solanke for the goal but he recovered and produced several important interceptions and blocks.

DAN BURN: 8 MAN OF THE MATCH

Stepped up second half when those in front of him stepped off the gas. Big block, headers and interceptions. Newcastle's player of the season so far.

LEWIS HALL: 6.5

Another steady display and did himself no harm in front of Tuchel. Didn't get forward as much but did well up against Johnson.

BRUNO GUIMARAES: 7

Everything that was good about Newcastle first half went through him. Faded after half-time before coming back into it and helping see home win.

SANDRO TONALI: 6.5

Very quiet start but came into game towards half-time and his team improved because of it. But like others, looked tired second half before late revival.

JOELINTON: 5.5

Sloppy too often the ball, this was not one of his better games. Part of a midfield that went missing second half.

JACOB MURPHY: 6.5

Another assist for Isak and another showing of energy and endeavour down the right. Quiet second half.

ALEXANDER ISAK: 6.5

A seventh straight league game in which he has scored and made Spurs defenders nervous first half. Failed to trouble makeshift backline after interval, though.

ANTHONY GORDON: 7

A constant threat first half and took his goal well. Had two good chances for a second. Would have impressed Tuchel.

Substitutes:

Harvey Barnes (on for Gordon 78) 6

Joe Willock (on for Isak 86)

Sean Longstaff (on for Murphy 86)

Lloyd Kelly (on for Botman 90)

Manager: Eddie Howe 7

His team found a different way to win and were dogged second half after control of first. Five on spin now in league and his players are giving everything.

The Newcastle revival rolls on, gathering momentum with another victory and sharpening their Champions League credentials once again.

Into the new year with the same hot form as Alexander Isak extended his goal spree, claiming the winner. It was not his finest, scuffed into an open goal from a couple of yards but he has 14 for the season and has scored in each of his last seven Premier League games.

His goals have fuelled Newcastle’s rise up the table and Eddie Howe, overlooked for the England job, can take satisfaction from this, his sixth win in a row, achieved in front of Thomas Tuchel, who was starting his new job with a ticket in the VIP seats.

Tuchel once said Tottenham were his favourite English team. He liked the name, apparently, but all Spurs fans continue to suffer.

For them, a new year has brought more of the same old problems. Only worse. On top of a crisis of injuries which shows no sign of yielding there, Ange Postecoglou was missing players who had fallen to a sickness bug in the camp.

They are dropping like flies. Fraser Forster was bedridden leaving Brandon Austin to make his debut in goal. Radu Dragusin did not make it out for the second half leaving Spurs without a recognised centre half on the pitch.

On top of which, Postecoglou chose to start with captain Heung-min Son and vice-captain James Maddison on the bench.

Somehow, his depleted team produced a spirited second half performance. In fact, one of their most encouraging halves in recent weeks and the manager deserves credit for his courage. And almost got a point.

Maddison went close with a curler and Dominic Solanke, scorer of the game’s first goal in the fourth minute should have headed in an equaliser in stoppage time. His effort was too close to goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.

Austin was making his first ever Tottenham start and his first appearance for anyone since a loan spell at Orlando City in the summer of 2021.

He impressed with his aerial presence, pulling crosses cleanly out of the air and weathering the physical attention at set pieces, but he was picking the ball out of his net within six minutes, a controversial goal finished by Anthony Gordon.

Lucas Bergvall, the Swedish teenager selected ahead of Yves Bissouma in Tottenham’s midfield, had a pass out of defence intercepted by Joelinton. Bruno Guimaraes picked up the loose ball and released Gordon who applied a confident finish.

There was a long VAR check when it became clear Joelinton’s interception had been made with his left hand but the goal was allowed to stand. The VAR Chris Kavanagh decided his hand had been by his side in a natural position and that contact was accidental.

Postecoglou fumed on the touchline and his assistant Matt Wells took the complaints to the fourth official Lewis Smith. They were aggrieved because Bergvall’s pass had been intended for Pedro Porro, breaking out from right back.

When Joelinton made the block, Porro was a long way out of position and Gordon in yards of space.

The home crowd turned on the officials and Spurs lost their composure despite making a positive start and taking an early lead through Dominic Solanke, who escaped Sven Botman to head in a Porro cross in the fourth minute.

Botman was back in the Newcastle defence after nine months out with a knee injury and perhaps a little rusty, but the threat from Spurs receded once the visitors equalised.

They dominated until the interval. Austin saved from Gordon and Isak missed a glorious chance from six yards before claiming his 14th goal of the season.

Jacob Murphy crossed low from the right, Dragusin lunged to cut it out but turned it towards his own goal and Isak pounced to sweep it into an empty net.

Gordon and Joelinton had chances to extend the lead and it seemed briefly as if Newcastle might run away with it before half time.

As it turned out, Spurs hung on but Postecoglou’s manpower problems only deepened. Dragusin, among those fighting illness ahead of the game, was unable to return so on came Sergio Reguilon with Djed Spence moving into the centre of defence alongside Archie Gray.

Strangely, Spurs improved as an attacking force and almost levelled. Pape Matar Sarr forced a good low save from Dubravka and Brennan Johnson fired the rebound against a post from an acute angle.

Newcastle threatened on the break. Gordon fired over after Gray blocked from Sandro Tonali. Then Gordon suffered a bloodied nose in a collision with Dejan Kulusevski. Bloodied but unbowed and on the climb.

For Tottenham, another defeat to extend a miserable run of one win in eight Premier League games.

Anthony Gordon's composed equaliser for Newcastle in their win over Tottenham left Ange Postecoglou and his Spurs players incensed, with the home side demanding the referee chalk it off for handball.

Dominic Solanke had given the north London side an early lead by bullying his defender and heading home from a high ball.

The visitors managed to complete a first-half comeback and hold on for a 2-1 win, courtesy of goals from Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak, but those of a Spurs persuasion were left less than impressed that the first one stood.

Lucas Bergvall seemed to strike the ball onto Joelinton's arm in the build-up although the Brazilian appeared to know very little about it.

He then played a pass into Bruno Guimaraes, who found an on-rushing Gordon. The Englishman took one touch before firing his second home and wheeling off in a celebration in front of new Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel.

An under-pressure Postecoglou grimaced after the goal was confirmed and his bench complained to the fourth official.

In particular, assistant coach Matt Wells joined substitute Sergio Reguilon in voicing their anger at the call.

A few minutes later, the Premier League Match Centre official X account posted their justification of the decision, saying: 'The referee's call of goal was confirmed by VAR, who checked for a potential handball by Joelinton in the build-up and deemed that his arm was by his side, in a natural position and the contact was accidental.'

Meanwhile on Sky Sports, former referee Mike Dean said: 'It's a goal, even if it hits his hand, it's accidental.

'And he hasn't scored the goal Joelinton. It's then gone forward to Gordon so it's a goal.'

On TNT Sports, pundits Karen Carney and Joe Hart weighed in on the decision and there was disagreement in the studio.

The former Arsenal and Chelsea star said: '[Gordon] is ruthless on the counterattack. His work ethic, his crossing is good, but I have to say I think that was a handball. I know the letter of the law.

'I know he was unintentional, but it's still for me gave an advantage for Newcastle there, and I think that was a handball.

'I'm not saying that is the rule, but I still think it gave them an advantage. So he didn't intentionally mean to do it, so I'm not arguing. I'm arguing with the rule basically.'

Hart, meanwhile, added: 'I like the laws. I like the clarity. I've got no qualms with that. It happened. All of us, all of us are having a conversation straight away.

'Straightaway the conversation is what are the rules?

'Because that's the only way that we can form an opinion when it comes to this in terms of what's going on on the pitch. We can have a discussion, Karen, Lindsay, we can all talk about what we think should happen, human element coming into it.

'Obviously a huge benefit to Newcastle, the fact that it did turn over, when the rules were in front of you stating, I don't think it was in an abnormal position. It was a natural position. Ball turned over. It's unfortunate for Spurs.'

Thomas Tuchel was in attendance for Spurs' clash with Newcastle on Saturday

Former Chelsea boss officially started his role as England manager on January 1

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Thomas Tuchel has been spotted conducting his first scouting assignment since officially taking the reins as England manager.

The former Chelsea boss was seen sitting alongside his new assistant Anthony Barry as Tottenham played host to Newcastle at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday.

Tuchel watched the Premier League encounter from the directors box as he starts to ponder his squad selection for his first games in charge against Latvia and Albania in March.

With a number of potential candidates on both sides, Tuchel was there to keep tabs on the likes of Dominic Solanke, James Maddison, Anthony Gordon, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall.

The English stars on display were quick to deliver, with Solanke firing the hosts into an early lead before Gordon equalised to put Newcastle back on level terms, all within the opening 10 minutes.

Speaking at half-time on TNT Sports Karen Carney insisted Tuchel will have been 'impressed' by Solanke's headed opener.

Tuchel is also expected to attend Liverpool versus Manchester United on Sunday, where Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones, Jarell Quansah, Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire will be hoping to impress.

As he looks to put his stamp in his new role Tuchel has appointed fitness coach Nicolas Mayer to his staff alongside assistant Anthony Barry, goalkeeper coach Henrique Hilario and analyst James Melbourne.

Tuchel formally started work on January 1, becoming Gareth Southgate's permanent successor by signing an 18-month deal that will see him through to next year's World Cup in North America.

Meanwhile, Villa Park is emerging as a contender to host England's clash against Andorra in September.

The qualifier on September 6 cannot be played at Wembley because it clashes with a Coldplay concert.

But Aston Villa are among the options being considered by the Football Association for the game.

Fraser Forster has been ruled out of the lunchtime clash with illness

Spurs face Newcastle aiming for a first win in four Premier League matches

Goalkeeper Brandon Austin will make his Tottenham debut in the clash against Newcastle after Fraser Forster was ruled out with a sickness bug.

Austin joined Spurs at youth level in 2015 but has not yet made a senior appearance for the club.

Ange Postecoglou has been forced to throw in the 25-year-old with Forster ill and No 1 Guglielmo Vicario out with a long-term ankle injury.

Austin has been on the bench for 15 games this season owing to Vicario's absence, and is now finally set to get his chance to impress.

He signed a new five-year deal in May, running through to 2029.

Austin's opportunity may be short-lived, however, as Spurs are set to alleviate their goalkeeping crisis by signing Antonin Kinsky from Slavia Prague.

The 21-year-old is due in London today ahead of having a medical on Saturday evening.

The Czech Republic U21 international has kept 12 clean sheets in 19 league appearances for Slavia Prague who are top of the Czech First League.

Spurs come into the game against in-form Newcastle having failed to win any of their past three league matches.

A 6-3 thrashing at home by Liverpool was followed by defeat at Nottingham Forest and a 2-2 draw with Wolves at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Newcastle arrive in north London off the back off a comfortable 2-0 victory over Manchester United on Monday, their fifth straight win in all competitions.

Follow Mail Sport's coverage of the Premier League clash between Tottenham and Newcastle at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the live score, team news and latest updates.

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Tottenham's preparations for the visit of Newcastle have been disrupted by illness within the squad, manager Ange Postecoglou has confirmed.

Spurs head into the clash in the bottom half of the Premier League table after a dismal run of form has left them 11 points off the top four.

They face a Newcastle side who have won their last five matches in all competitions, only conceding one goal in that run.

Postecoglou's team have been riddled with injuries this campaign, with key defenders Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero missing the festive period after going off in a 4-3 loss to Chelsea in early December.

And now the Australian boss will potentially have to deal with some more absentees after a sickness bug forced some players to miss training.

'None of the injured ones are back yet,' said Postecoglou. 'We've had a bit of an illness bug around the squad so a few were missing from training but we'll be alright.'

While Tottenham will be without both Van de Ven and Romero this weekend, Postecoglou did confirm that they are expected back in training next week.

He continued: 'At this stage, Richy and Mikey Moore are the two next cabs off the rank, hopefully next week at some point.

'Ben [Davies], Micky van de Ven, Romero all around the same time, the back end of January they're slated to return.

'Destiny obviously with his hamstring looks around the six-week mark for him missing.'

Spurs will also be without Rodrigo Bentancur this weekend due to suspension after the midfielder picked up his fifth yellow card in his second game back following a seven-match league ban.

However, Saturday lunchtime will see the return of Djed Spence, who missed the Wolves draw through suspension.

Tottenham have won just one of their last seven Premier League matches, picking up just five points in that time.

The string of poor results has ramped up the pressure on Postecoglou. Nevertheless, Mail Sport understands Postecoglou’s position remains safe for now.

Despite knowing his job is secure for the time being, Postecoglou admitted how much the bad run is affecting him.

'It hurts me because I'm responsible ultimately,' said Postecoglou after Tottenham's draw at home to Wolves. 'I'm the person in charge. So of course, it hurts.

'When I see how hard they are trying, it hurts even more because you want them to get a reward and I think they deserved a reward for their efforts even though they were dipping into their reserves of energy.

'I wanted them to get a reward for their efforts. So of course, it hurts. It hurts immensely. At the same time, it's my responsibility for where we're at right now and it's my responsibility to try to get us out of it.'

Legendary football manager Joe Kinnear has left a hefty six-figure sum to his wife after passing away at the age of 77.

The former Wimbledon and Newcastle manager died last April, having endured a long battle with vascular dementia since he was diagnosed in 2015.

Now court records have revealed the father-of-two has left his £840,000 fortune to his wife Bonnie, probate documents show. After fees, debts and costs were deducted, the total amount was £833,000.

Kinnear's grieving daughter, Russ Duffman, previously blamed his death on heading the ball throughout his 11-year footballing career.

The Dubliner revealed he was fighting the degenerative brain condition in 2021.

An autopsy confirmed that his brain had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain disorder which is caused by repeated head injuries and leads to dementia.

His family donated his brain for research and an autopsy was carried out by Dr Willie Stewart, consultant neuropathologist at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.

'Dr Stewart intimated to me that CTE was the cause of his dementia and his death,' Ms Duffman told BBC Sport. 'He was a defender, so it was from heading the ball.'

'The autopsy] gives you closure, but thinking about it, we just feel angry again because I feel like his career has killed him. We learned a lot, but weren't surprised by the outcome. It does give you clarity.'

Following his death, his family said in a statement: 'We are sad to announce that Joe passed away peacefully this afternoon surrounded by his family.'

As a manager Kinnear was known for his cheeky humour and profanity-laced rants, but he had a colourful career as a player before that.

Born in Dublin to a father who worked in the Guinness brewery, Kinnear moved with his family to Watford at the age of seven.

After captaining Watford and Hertfordshire Schoolboys, then impressing at junior level at St Albans City, he was signed by Spurs in 1963 as a promising right-back.

Kinnear made his senior debut in 1966 and played 258 games for Tottenham, winning the FA Cup, the League Cup twice and UEFA Cup. He also received 26 international caps for Republic of Ireland.

He went on to play one season for Brighton before retiring aged 30 - and it was as a manager that he really made his name.

After initially owning a pub, The Stag, Kinnear took his coaching badges and began his management career at Al Shabab Al Arabi Club in Dubai alongside former Spurs colleague Dave Mackay.

After short stints coaching the Nepal and India national teams he returned to assist Mackay at Doncaster Rovers.

But it was his role at Wimbledon, where he arrived in 1992, that cemented his managerial legend.

After leading them to a sixth place finish in the Premier League in the 1993–94 season, he was voted Premier League Manager of the Month three times as his team finished above the likes of Liverpool, Aston Villa, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur.

Kinnear continued in the role until he suffered a heart attack before a league game in March 1999. He stood down in June of that year and Wimbledon were relegated from the Premier League.

After spells at Luton and Nottingham Forest, he returned to management with Newcastle in 2008 after a four-year hiatus in a famously defiant spell.

Kinnear made headlines in 2008 after conducting a profanity-laden press conference.

He began by launching a verbal tirade at the the roomful of journalists before him, reeling off more than 500 swearwords in the first five minutes of the briefing.

Thomas Tuchel's first scouting assignment as official England head coach will be at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this weekend.

Mail Sport can reveal that the England boss will attend the Saturday lunchtime clash between Spurs and Newcastle, where he will hope to catch sight of Dominic Solanke, James Maddison, Anthony Gordon, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall.

Tuchel will watch the Premier League encounter from the directors box as he starts to ponder his squad selection for his first games in charge against Latvia and Albania in March.

The former Chelsea boss is also expected to attend Liverpool versus Manchester United on Sunday, where Trent Alexander-Arnold, Curtis Jones, Jarrell Quansah, Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire will be hoping to impress.

The former Chelsea boss has appointed fitness coach Nicolas Mayer to his staff alongside assistant Anthony Barry, goalkeeper coach Henrique Hilario and analyst James Melbourne.

Mayer has worked with Tuchel, who will hold a series of meetings at St George's Park next week, at Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.

Tuchel formally started work on January 1, becoming Gareth Southgate's permanent successor by signing an 18-month deal.

Meanwhile, Villa Park is emerging as a contender to host England's clash against Andorra in September.

The qualifier on September 6 cannot be played at Wembley because it clashes with a Coldplay concert.

But Aston Villa are among the options being considered by the Football Association for the game.