Newsletter

Get your daily update and weekly newsletter by signing up today!

Opinion

Newcastle 1 Tottenham 2 – Instant United fan/writer reaction to Saturday’s defeat

6 years ago
Share

Newcastle 1 Tottenham 2  – Saturday 11 August 12.30pm

We asked a number of our regular writers to give us a brief instant reaction after the final whistle.

Newcastle starting the season with a defeat that was maybe a little unlucky.

United hitting  the woodwork twice in the second half and Kenedy wasting a one on one with the keeper.

Jack Lacey-Hatton:

“Disappointed even though it was Spurs, a point was there for the taking.

“Annoyed that we didn’t apply even more pressure on them towards the end.

“Dembele probably helped that cause.

“Rondon looks like he could give us the physical presence we have been crying out for.”

Jamie Smith:

“A bit disjointed all round really, a golden opportunity to beat Spurs went begging today.

“Poor defending for both their goals and spurned chances in the second half, Kenedy’s miss was a sickener.

“Tottenham looked rusty but when we couldn’t find the breakthrough after the Rondon induced lift, they had the quality to shut the game down.

“Yedlin getting injured late on highlights the dangerous game being played with our lack of depth. Who even is the backup right-back???”

Nat Seaton:

“Same again…

“With 8 out of our Championship team starting the game it’s hardly surprising.

“No lack of effort, more a case of below Premier League ability in some positions.

“Here’s hoping for better things when the new players get their chance, otherwise it will be a long hard season (again!).”

Ben Cooper:

“Canny game, plenty of chances and not a lot of luck for NUFC.

“Some good performances, some not so good and 3 poor ones from the subs who offered very little.

“The start of the second half was our chance and for 20 minutes i thought we would get something. We looked leggy late on though.

“Encouraging and disappointing at the same time then. NUFC all over.”

David Punton:

“Opening day. A home game. Spurs. A defeat. Just like we started the previous season….we ended up finishing tenth.

“It’s a disappointing start, set against a backdrop of protests and under investment in the team. No matter what Lee Charnley wants you to believe, this club is in the slow lane when it comes to ambition.

“On the pitch we are undone today, but there were positives there to take and the team are unfortunate not to come off with a point. The crossbar and post denying us after Spurs opted to hang on.

“The scramble for points is underway.

“PS – anyone got Usmanov’s phone number.”

Jamie Swan:

“Scrappy game lost in the first 20 minutes.

“Scored a great goal to equalize from a cracking Ritchie cross, conceded two of our own and one of them by inches.

“Diame and Shelvey were very poor, giving the ball away regularly, but Ritchie and especially Kenedy looked dangerous.

“Flat atmosphere apart from a semi lively away section.

“Upped it second half and had enough chances to equalize if not win it, without really playing well.

“Kenedy, for all his dribbles and fancy feet, blew his beans with a shocking touch when clean through from a belter Perez pass.

“Rafa took off Ritchie for Atsu which was strange and Atsu struggled big time.

“New recruits came on and Rondon was a handful nearly scoring and Muto busy.

“Huff and puff but ultimately bot all.

“Ashley out.”

Toon Bano:

“We didn’t deserve to lose that game.

“Lack of quality which Rafa was desperate for.

“We will be a decent side this year.”

Paul Patterson:

“Good showing considering.

“Just shows what a bit of extra quality gets you.

“For a number of years, Spurs have been shopping for their knickers in Harrods while our tried and trusty Y-fronts come from Primark.

“Great effort from the lads.”

Stats from BBC Sport:

Newcastle 1 Tottenham 2

Goals:

Newcastle: Joselu 11

Tottenham: Vertonghen 8, Alli 18

Possession was Tottenham 60% Newcastle 40%

Total shots were  Tottenham 15 Newcastle 15

Shots on target were Tottenham 5 Newcastle 2

Corners were  Tottenham 5 Newcastle 3

Referee: Martin Atkinson

Newcastle United:

Dubravka, Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett, Ritchie (Atsu 69), Shelvey, Diame, Kenedy, Perez (Muto 81), Joselu (Rondon 59)

Unused Subs:

Darlow, Manquillo, Schar, Ki

Crowd: 51,749 (3,000 Tottenham)

Share

If you would like to feature on The Mag, submit your article to contribute@themag.co.uk

Have your say

© 2024 The Mag. All Rights Reserved. Design & Build by Mediaworks