PREMIER LEAGUE
SUNDAY 10TH DECEMBER, 2023
(4.30PM)
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 4(2) NEWCASTLE UNITED 1(0)

Spurs scorers:-
Udogie, 26
Richarlison, 38, 60
Son (pen), 85

Newcastle scorer:-
Joelinton, 90+1

Attendance:- 61,171

Referee:- Chris Kavanagh
Assistants:- Simon Bennett, Dan Robathan
Fourth official:- Tom Bramall
VAR:- Peter Bankes
Assistant VAR:- Harry Lennard

Teams:-
Spurs (4-2-3-1):- Vicario; Pedro Porro, Romero, Davies, Udogie; Sarr (sub Hojbjerg, 73), Bissouma (sub Gil, 86); Johnson (sub Skipp, 86), Kulusevski, Son (Capt.) (sub Donley 90+1); Richarlison (sub Lo Celso, 73)
(Armband to Romero)

Subs not used:- Forster; Emerson Royal, Dorrington; Veliz

Booked:- Romero (foul on Wilson)

Newcastle (4-3-3):- Dubravka; Trippier (sub Krafth, 86), Lascelles (Capt.), Schar, Livramento (sub Hall, 73); Miley, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron (sub S. Longstaff, 64), Isak (sub Wilson, 64), Gordon (sub Ritchie, 73)

Subs not used:- Karius; Dummett; A. Murphy; Gillispie

Booked:- Lascelles (foul on Son), Joelinton (foul on Pedro Porro), Trippier (foul on Kulusevski)

Spurs end poor run in style

Spurs ended their poor 5-game run in style with a massive win over a decimated Newcastle side said to be "running on fumes". They had their moments though and scored a consolation goal in added time. By then, Spurs had scored first, second, third and fourth and never lost their lead! The win secures our fifth place, three points (and 13 goals) above Manchester united and four points above today's opponents. Now to reclaim a place in the top four!

Pape Sarr made a welcome return to the starting line-up, along with Richarlison, making his first start since 27th October. "Richie" put the work in and was rewarded with his first goal since September and his first brace for Spurs.

It had been a dark and wet day, but the rain had subsided by kick-off. That was preceded as usual by the trumpet rendition of "Oh when the Spurs".

Newcastle kicked off, playing towards the south, but Spurs were soon on the attack with Udogie prominent in forward positions, passing inside to Richarlison, whose shot was blocked. Kulusevski played centrally behind "Richie" and Son played on the left. Son would give former Spur Kieran Trippier a torrid time, creating both our first-half goals.

Kulusevski fed Richarlison, whose left-footed shot took a slight deflection as it passed over the far corner. Johnson was combining well with Pedro Porro in the right side in Spurs' all-out attacking strategy. Dubravka collected Pedro Porro's cross after Johnson's ball down the line.

Newcastle had an attack of note after 6 minutes which ended with Guimaraes' shot from 25 yards passing just over the left corner of Vicario's goal. After a cross by Gordon, Ben Davies got a vital touch on the ball at the back post to put Isak off his effort which passed just wide.

More Porro-Johnson play led to a cross after which both Kulusevski and Son tried to shoot but were blocked, and referee Chris Kavanagh also pulled us up for a foul. We haven't seen Mr Kavanagh since the 5-0 thrashing of Norwich in May last year. He lets quite a lot go, but likes to let the game flow. At this scoring rate, he can come back soon!

Pedro Porro won and took a corner on the right, from which Romero's header was cleared off the line by Almiron. A dangerous cross by Son was collected by Dubravka with both Richarson and Johnson threatening. Dubravka and Newcastle's outfield players were seeking to take time out of the game even at this early stage. Dubravka has clearly learned off Pope who deployed such tactics when at Burnley!

The opening goal was scored in the 26th minute after Udogie pushed the ball out to Son from a central position. Son burned Trippier and got along the bye-line before hitting an accurate low cross with power which the advancing Udogie met to score his first Spurs goal.

Sarr soon had a chance after exchanging with Porro before pulling his shot wide across goal from the right. After an error by Johnson, the visitors advanced and Almiron missed a golden chance, hitting a weak shot straight at Vicario. Son took advantage of a Newcastle defensive error, collecting a back-header on the left, before beating Trippier again along that bye-line, delivering a cross this time for Richarlison who placed his finish nicely to the left of the keeper. We hadn't been two goals up since October!

Spurs had a free kick out on the right, taken by Pedro Porro. Brennan Johnson (who will be looking forward to our next match at Nottingham Forest on Friday night) hit a shot which skimmed out of play off the keeper's right post.

Son led an attack with a run from our half. He passed to Kulusevski on his left and after his ball inside, Richarlison tried to connect with a corner resulting. "Richie's" header from the corner was held.

Spurs kicked off the second half, but Newcastle started brightly. There seemed to be two offsides as Newcastle advanced down the right, but Spurs cleared anyway. They had a free kick, taken by Trippier of course, after Romero's foul on Gordon, but Spurs cleared that too. Trippier sent another cross deep but Gordon fired over from beyond the back post.

Bissouma had a low right-footed shot held low by Dubravka at his right post after receiving the ball from Sarr. Son was cynically fouled by Lascelles as he led a swift and dangerous break. Lascelles was booked.

Spurs' third goal on the hour was a work of art as Pedro Porro hit a perfect ball from deep on the right. Richarlison took a touch before firing into the net beneath the keeper. Spurs hadn't been three-up since September (at Burnley)!

Spurs were now looking rampant. Kulusevski teed up Johnson who hit the post with another shot. Son then had a shot go just wide from a Kulusevski cross.

Eddie Howe made a double substitution and was able to bring on recent casualties Longstaff and Wilson for Almiron and Isak. Spurs ploughed on and after approach play from Kulusevski and Johnson, a Pedro Porro shot landed on top of the net. The busy Dubravka dived low to his right to save from Kulusevski, and also from Son near his right post. After more substitutions, Porro had a 25-yarder saved.

Not that we were aware from our lofty viewing position, but it seems Romero was lucky to get only a yellow card when he trod on Wilson's ankle. Bissouma went head-to-head with a Newcastle player in the ensuing melee, but was not booked. Romero really has to be more careful.

Son was fouled by the keeper as he advanced into the box after Pedro Porro's neat pass. The penalty was an easy decision and "Sonny" made a good choice as he powered his shot low to the right of Dubravka. It was our first penalty goal of the season. You know who scored our last!

Ollie Skipp had replaced Johnson and he was given a great chance on front of goal after Kulusevski's pass, but hit a softish shot at the keeper. Skipp soon teed up "Sonny", but the captain pulled his right foot shot wide across the goal. Son was replaced by Jamie Donley who was roared onto the pitch as he made his home debut.

Some Newcastle fans had left before Joelinton scored the consolation goal after a short cross by Wilson. Wilson had a header on target himself, but this was held by Vicario. The home crowd were able to celebrate a fine win with gusto.

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