Tottenham and Newcastle played out a tense and tactically gripping match, with Newcastle emerging victorious 2-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. This encounter showcased both teams’ attacking prowess and defensive resilience, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon found the net for Newcastle, while Dominic Solanke scored Spurs’ lone goal. The xG battle reflected the contest’s fine margins, with Newcastle (2.2) edging out Spurs (1.6) in expected goals.
Key Stats
Shots on target: Newcastle 4, Spurs 5
xG: Newcastle 2.2, Spurs 1.6
Possession: Spurs 58%, Newcastle 42%
Progressive runs: Newcastle 23, Spurs 18
Match Momentum
The momentum swung between the two sides throughout the game. Newcastle started brightly, pressing high and forcing errors from Spurs. But Spurs scored first with Solanke’s goal from close range. Newcastle’s first goal, courtesy of Anthony Gordon, came in the 6th minute. Then Newcastle struck again through Gordon, capitalizing on a lapse in Spurs’ defensive setup. The game ended with both teams creating chances, but Newcastle held firm in the final stages.
Shots and Goals
Newcastle dominated the shot count, taking 14 attempts compared to Spurs’ 13. The Magpies’ shot-to-goal efficiency stood out, converting high-quality chances with precision. Their xG map highlights a concentration of shots from central areas within the box, including Isak’s decisive finish (0.56 xG).
Spurs, meanwhile, relied more on shots from wide and outside the box, contributing to their lower xG per shot (0.12). Solanke’s strike (0.22 xG) reflected Spurs’ struggle to create clear-cut opportunities.
Possession Tactics
Newcastle’s pass map showcased their fluid build-up play and reliance on Bruno Guimarăes and Sandro Tonali to orchestrate attacks. The midfield duo controlled the tempo, feeding Joelinton and Gordon in advanced positions. The wide areas, especially Luke Hall’s overlaps, were critical to their attacking structure.
For Spurs, possession was more deliberate, as evidenced by their pass map. Yves Bissouma and Pedro Porro were pivotal in linking play from deep, with Kulusevski often dropping into midfield to support transitions. Despite enjoying 58% possession, Spurs lacked incisiveness in the final third, relying heavily on Solanke to convert limited chances.
Newcastle’s clinical finishing and ability to exploit defensive lapses secured them three valuable points, keeping their European hopes alive. Spurs will rue missed chances and defensive frailties as they look to bounce back in the coming fixtures. A tactical chess match, this game delivered drama, precision, and quality football.