Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United. Premier League.
Tottenham Hotspur StadiumAttendance59,245.
Spurs denied late penalty by VAR after Lascelles and Kane collided
Sunday 25 August 2019 22:55, UK
Newcastle got their first points under Steve Bruce as Joelinton's first-half goal gave them a shock 1-0 victory at Tottenham on Super Sunday.
After a summer of discontent, Newcastle got off the mark in the Premier League thanks to some lax Spurs defending, as record signing Joelinton slotted home for his first goal for the club (27).
VAR then denied Spurs a penalty as Jamaal Lascelles and Harry Kane collided in the penalty area with 12 minutes remaining, before Lucas Moura skied a fine chance moments later.
The result already leaves seventh-place Spurs five points behind leaders Liverpool, while Newcastle remain in the bottom three.
Tottenham had all of the ball but none of the bite early on. It took them 20 minutes to register a touch in Newcastle's penalty area as Bruce's side predictably sat in, but the visitors did cause issues on the break.
There was a warning sign when Sean Longstaff forced a fingertip save from Hugo Lloris, though he could have squared for Christian Atsu or Matt Ritchie with Newcastle three versus one.
But Spurs were found lacking at the back again as Ritchie's lofted ball found Joelinton in acres of space between Danny Rose and Davinson Sanchez, and the Brazilian kept his cool to slot left-footed past Lloris from 12 yards.
Spurs did then react as Martin Dubravka parried away Heung-Min Son's half-volley at the far post, but after the break Newcastle sat back in, forcing the hosts wide as Jamaal Lascelles and Fabian Schar cleared everything thrown at them.
Then came the VAR controversy as Lascelles, who lost his footing, looked to connect with Kane, sending him tumbling. Referee Mike Dean initially waved away Spurs' protests, and so did the VAR in what was one of the tightest subjective calls so far this season.
Spurs then only had themselves to blame as Lucas Moura blazed over Moussa Sissoko's right-wing cross in acres of space, while Kane failed to make proper connection from eight yards after another Sissoko centre.
Though Spurs weren't at their best, Newcastle's deep defending was almost impossible to break down, but Bruce won't care after a summer full of doubts about his ability to keep his side in the top flight.
Mauricio Pochettino: "I cannot find excuses because the transfer window is open. It doesn't justify that performance today or the result. But we have an unsettled group for different reasons and different personal circumstances.
"Of course, I am going to be happier in 10 days after Arsenal when the transfer window is closed and we know we have the players until it opens again in January.
"We didn't create. We had the possession, we dominated, but we didn't create enough chances. I don't want to justify it but I need to tell the truth.
"I think it was very clear. We never found the capacity to break down their defensive line. They were organised and played really deep. We didn't show this capacity when a solid team came to play against us.
Steve Bruce: "We have had a tough week so the one thing you have to do is respond in the right way. Thankfully, we have done that. That's the important thing.
"We can't do a warm-up? Tactics? It's embarrassing some of the stuff. The only way you can respond to it is with the team putting in a performance like that. The organisation was there for everyone to see.
"I have managed 900-odd games over 20 years. You would think there would be some respect. But I go back to the fact that whoever was going to replace Rafa was going to have a tough time.
"The easiest thing would have been to have said no to the challenge. But I am as determined as I have ever been to take the club forward. Days like today I will remember for a long time."
Speaking on Sky Sports after the game, Graeme Souness insists the result was not a one-off, and that Spurs must learn how to break down stubborn teams.
"Spurs had 80 per cent possession and just two shots on target. That's not good enough. Spurs will have to get used to coming here, and playing like this against them. This is not a one-off.
"If you take Spurs on in an open, expansive game of football, nine times out of ten, you'll come unstuck.
People now know Spurs are a good team.
"More and more teams will come here and look at what Newcastle have done here today, and think that's how to get a result."
Tottenham now travel to Arsenal for the north London derby on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports Premier League at 4.30pm, while Newcastle host Leicester in the EFL Cup second round on Wednesday night, before hosting Watford at 3pm on Saturday.
