Tottenham suffered yet another defeat – this time at home to Newcastle.
Spurs have gotten off to a poor start in the 2026/27 Premier League, losing each of their first two fixtures for the first time since 2011/12. And doing it without scoring for the first time in history.
The Magpies, on the other hand, were one controversial penalty away from collecting all six possible points from their opening two matches. And once again, they looked like the better side against a tough opponent – first Liverpool at home then Tottenham away.
What made Tottenham so vulnerable against Newcastle?
Mid-block limbo
Roberto De Zerbi set his Tottenham side up to defend mostly in a mid-block against Newcastle. The idea was to not sit back and invite the visitors near their goal, as well as not give loads of spaces by pressing high up the pitch.
In theory, all of it makes sense. But it also creates a sort of limbo in which they have no pressure on the defenders while also offering enough space for quick attackers to exploit.
There’s also a broader conversation to be had regarding the future of mid blocks in modern football. Though there are no correct or incorrect strategies in any sport, provided a team has the right personnel for them. It just doesn’t seem to fit this Spurs squad.
Nico Gonzalez the bow
Nico Gonzalez had an absolute field day with this scenario. He was the one Magpies midfielder dropping deeper, closer to the centre-backs.
Matthias Jaissle certainly made it easier by stretching his forwards to pin Tottenham’s defence. Add to that De Zerbi’s strategy to tighten the screws only in midfield and not further up, and Gonzalez (plus Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman) had all the time in the world to pick passes as they pleased.
The Spaniard took it to another level though. Despite coming off in the 71st minute, he still ranked third overall in line-breaking passes (12) and first in defensive-line-breaking passes (4).
He also completed four of his six long pass attempts – which were key to creating danger for his side. In fact, the second play of the game, just 30 seconds in, was the same from the one that led to Anthony Elanga opening the scoring.
Gonzalez joined the centre-backs, played a beautiful long, diagonal pass out wide to Amar Dedic who headed it down for Elanga running in the half-space. The Swede tried a half-shot/half-cross in the first one that nearly went in, but turned Sandro Tonali and placed it in the bottom corner to capitalise on the second.
Amar Dedic and Anthony Elanga the arrows
Zooming in on Gonzalez’s long passes, there was a clear preference in which flank to attack. Out of his six attemots, five targeted the right wing.
Dedic and Elanga showed good chemistry to complement each other. On the ball, both of them spent most of their time out wide. But their off-ball movements had one holding the width and the other attacking the half-space.
Newcastle then added a second through Yoane Wissa, who showed great improvisational finishing after Nick Woltemade won a header from a corner. But the common tactical theme throughout the match was the Magpies using direct play and taking advantage of Spurs’ indecision out of possession to hurt them.
That’s not to say Tottenham didn’t have their moments. Omar Marmoush enjoyed a great debut and looked much more fit as a false nine than Richarlison. Ultimately, the Egyptian lacked company – and quality – in attack. He led Spurs in chances created (3) and successful take-ons (3), while also ranking second in shots (3, one fewer than Pedro Porro).
The Spaniard got involved in many plays as a winger, but showed his lack of attacking touch, being a right-back. Mathys Tel also provided a few sparks in one-on-one situations, but couldn’t deliver the end product.
They should get better with more talent joining the front-three. Mohammed Kudus made his first appearance since early January and Savinho got off to a great start in the Carabao Cup.
But De Zerbi may want to change a few things up – or tighten their current ways – in order to turn things around at Tottenham Hotspur stadium.