Thursday 10 May 2018 07:39, UK
Tottenham secured a Premier League top-four spot as Harry Kane's goal gave them a 1-0 win over Newcastle at Wembley on Wednesday evening.
News of Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Huddersfield at Stamford Bridge was met by a deafening cheer at Wembley, and the hosts held on for a narrow victory to guarantee Champions League football next season at their new home.
In a nervy encounter full of chances for both sides, Kane put Spurs ahead five minutes after the break with a fine curling effort into the top corner, taking his Premier League tally to 28.
The result leaves Newcastle 10th after four straight defeats, while Spurs will finish in the top four for the third straight season.
Things didn't go for Spurs in a nervy first half; Christian Eriksen forced a fine save from Martin Dubravka from a free-kick, while Jonjo Shelvey hit the outside of the post from his own set piece, before Jamaal Lascelles' header was brilliantly saved by Hugo Lloris.
Dwight Gayle spurned a fine chance from close range, heading over as he got in-between the Spurs centre backs, and at the other end Kane produced an air shot from 15 yards after racing through one-on-one with Dubravka.
Kane made amends on 50 minutes, stroking his effort into the top right corner from just inside the box after a neat exchange with Heung-min Son.
Ayoze Perez's produced an air shot of his own shortly after with the goal gaping, and Kenedy struck wide from range, before sub Jacob Murphy blazed over a fine opportunity from close range having wrestled free of Davinson Sanchez.
Rafa Benitez claimed Newcastle should have had two penalties in the game; Matt Ritchie appeared to be brought down by Hugo Lloris as the goalkeeper rushed out, while Ayoze Perez also saw half-hearted appeals waved away by Neil Swarbrick.
After the Chelsea result filtered through, sub Danny Rose should have wrapped up the win in stoppage time, but he hit straight at Dubravka with his weaker right foot after being played through on goal by Erik Lamela before huge relief at the final whistle.
Mauricio Pochettino: "This type of game is impossible to have a pretty performance. We played with the pressure to win the game, a must-win game. Against a team who played for nothing, played so deep and played counter attack, and didn't take risks. For us sometimes we take some rash decisions, and it was difficult to have patience, to play and build with good actions."
Rafa Benitez: "I think we had 14 attempts against Tottenham at home, and two penalties not given, so I think we deserve something here. Today we are doing almost everything well, against a good team, but two decisions, when you see the replays, it's a pity."
Not a stellar display by any Spurs men, but Lloris made some telling contributions in both halves.
His fine stop in the first from Lascelles header, when Newcastle were firmly on top, was world class, and he stood up to the challenge in the second half as Newcastle began to go direct.
Tottenham finish their season at Wembley with a clash against Leicester on Sunday at 3pm, while Newcastle host Chelsea at St James' Park at the same time.
