Football Features

    Spurs 0-1 Newcastle: Every player rated as Joelinton opens account to give Steve Bruce first Magpies win

    By Ben Green

    Published: 18:44, 25 August 2019

    Newcastle have pulled off a stunning 1-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur to claim their first three points of the Premier League season.

    Spurs started proceedings in expected fashion, dominating the ball and setting up camp in the Magpies’ half, but it was Steve Bruce’s men who inflicted the first wound, with Joelinton opening the scoring and his account simultaneously to give the visitors a shock lead.

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    And that was that in north London as Newcastle dug in deep after the half-time break to secure three points and deal Mauricio Pochettino an early season blow, but how did the players rate?

    Tottenham Hotspur

    Hugo Lloris – 6 – Could do little for Newcastle’s goal, but made a good save on Longstaff in the first half and kept his distribution rapid.

    Kyle Walker-Peters – 6 – The 22-year-old was positive and never afraid to push forward, providing the right flank plenty of energy, but he dithered on the ball and lost possession in two dangerous areas either side of the half – the only blemish on an otherwise assured performance.

    Toby Alderweireld – 6 – The more competent of Spurs’ centre-backs, but other than one or two bright moments from Newcastle, the Belgian was seldom tested.

    Davinson Sanchez – 4 – Looked shaky in the early exchanges with his distribution not quite at the level of the man left on the bench, Jan Vertonghen, and was all at sea for Newcastle’s goal as he lost Joelinton, who ran through to breach Lloris’s net – expect Vertonghen to be restored soon.

    Danny Rose – 6 – Had an intense battle with Krafth on the byline, and while the buccaneering full-back spent more time in opposition territory, he failed to produce that key delivery to tee up his teammates.

    Harry Winks – 7 – Dominated the middle of the park and done exactly what his manager would have asked prior to the match: keep the tempo ticking and procure the ball for Spurs’ more attack-minded players. As far as his role went this afternoon, he fulfilled his purpose to a T.

    Moussa Sissoko – 7 – Spurs’ engine in the middle of the park, the former Newcastle midfielder darted across the pitch and offered an industrious outlet when redeployed as an auxiliary full-back on the right touchline.

    Heung-Min Son – 6 – Looked dangerous whenever in possession, but like his attacking teammates, just lacked that clinical edge to unlock the Newcastle defence and find that all important goal.

    Erik Lamela – 5 – Saw plenty of the ball and tried to make things happen, but simply lacked that killer end product to really trouble the Newcastle backline.

    Lucas Moura – 6 – Got himself into dangerous areas but that little bit of magic and improvisation deserted him this afternoon as Newcastle held firm and shut the door.

    Harry Kane – 5 – Had to drop deep as he was having very little joy against Newcastle’s centre-back triumvirate, but again his efforts proved futile as Steve Bruce’s side set up a sturdy camp – a frustrating afternoon for the  England international.

    Substitutes:

    Christian Eriksen (for Walker-Peters 61) – 6 – Added a new flair but by that point Newcastle were defending with grit and determination.

    Giovani Lo Celso (for Lamela 61) – 5 – Struggled to really come into the match and stamp his authority.

    Ben Davies (for Rose 88) – N/A – Came on with only a few minutes to spare.

    Newcastle United

    Martin Dubravka – 6 – Despite Spurs’ dominance, Newcastle defended resolutely and reduced the north London club to just two shots on target, so the Slovakian wasn’t as busy as the statistics would suggest, though he looked composed and didn’t look troubled when the Lilywhites attacked.

    Emil Krafth – 7 – Had a few nervy moments, but produced the best individual on-field battle on the pitch with himself and Rose fighting tooth and nail on the touchline.

    Fabian Schar – 9 – Made four successful tackles in the first half – more than any player – truly embodying the heart on sleeve mentality as he threw his body in front of everything, and that pattern of play spilled over after the restart as he continued to hold the fort astutely with his teammates.

    Jamaal Lascelles – 8 – A captain’s performance, the Englishman was imperious at the back as Newcastle’s centre-back trident kept the Champions League runners-up at bay.

    Paul Dummett – 9 – Made a number of impressive defensive headers and blocks in the opening 45 minutes as Spurs peppered the Newcastle box, and like his defensive counterparts, they came out  after the break and formed a bulwark that stifled Spurs’ frontline.

    Matt Ritchie – 6 – His distribution was wayward at times, which is disappointing for a player of his innate technical skill, but was tenacious on the touchline; a bit too tenacious at times as a reckless foul brought about an unneeded booking.

    Isaac Hayden – 6 – Saw very little of the ball as the hosts hogged possession, but provided his defensive teammates strong protection just in front of the centre-back three, making four successful tackles.

    Allan Saint-Maximin – N/A – Lasted just 16 minutes as injury forced the summer signing off the pitch.

    Sean Longstaff – 5 – In truth, Newcastle’s central midfield duo were anonymous as Spurs bossed the ball; the academy graduate had one moment in the first half to score but really should have squared the ball and that was about it.

    Miguel Almiron – 7 – A real livewire, particularly when Spurs ramped up the pressure and his side were heavily under the cosh. He was the release valve and pretty much the fulcrum of anything positive the Tyneside club produced this afternoon.

    Joelinton – 7 – Broke the deadlock and got his first Newcastle goal after timing his run to perfection, collecting the ball off Atsu and clinically striking past Hugo Lloris. Mostly isolated up top but done his defensive duties well and was adroit when he needed to hold play up.

    Substitutes:

    Christian Atsu (for Saint-Maximin 16) – 7 – Came on for an unexpected early appearance as per Saint-Maximin’s injury and immediately made a difference, setting up Joelinton for the only goal of the match.

    Federico Fernandez (for Lascelles 81) – 6 – Came on with 10 minutes to go and saw the game over the line.

    Yoshinori Muto (for Joelinton) – N/A – Came on with a few minutes to spare.

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