Thanks to John Ellis for his take on yesterday's game:-

Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Newcastle United

Picture courtesy of John Ellis

Injury hit Spurs put up a very spirited performance against an in-form Newcastle side but ultimately came up short. With a third choice keeper making his debut and a makeshift defence in front of him, today could well have been a rout.

Instead, and backed by great support, the team showed "backs to the wall" character which included them taking a surprising early lead. An excellent cross from Porro was superbly headed home by Solanke to give the fans a glimmer of hope.

The lead only lasted two minutes and by half time Spurs were 2-1 down with an uphill battle ahead. Sadly, Spurs were architects of their own downfall with both goals conceded resulting from losing possession inside their own half. Playing out from the back was yet again the root cause for the first with the second coming from losing possession from their own throw-in.

Having just taken the lead and with such a weak defence, safety first would surely have been a better option. Adapting the tactics to suit the circumstances is not though within Postecoglou's play book.

Generally I prefer not to write about the match officials but today it would be just wrong not to do so. The laws of the game may or may not vindicate the VAR decision to award an equaliser which stemmed from a clear advantage being gained from a handball. If the rules were correctly applied, the rules are simply wrong.

However, putting aside that decision, Joelinton and Burn should have been sent off for second yellow cards. Dan Burn was already on a yellow card when he stopped a Spurs counter attack. By handling the ball which given the rules in place must have been regarded as a deliberate act by the referee (otherwise a free kick would not have been given), he surely had to be given a second yellow card. Inconceivably, the referee chose not to give such a card.

Joelinton committed at least two yellow card offences in the first half including a deliberate foul which stopped a Spurs counter attack. Incredibly, he wasn't booked until late into the second half by which time he too should have been sent off.

With corruption being widespread within the World game and the Premier League having Worldwide club ownership, managers and players, on days like today, it would sadly be naive to believe the Premier League is completely clean.

Austin acquitted himself reasonably well and especially when put under intense pressure from corners. He also made an excellent save down to his right in the first half and prevented a third in the second half. Vicario and Forster may have kept out the equaliser but it would be unfair to place any criticism on a keeper who is third choice for a reason.

The number of injuries were compounded by a virus which swept through the club during the week and prevented several others from starting, as well Bentancur serving his second suspension of the season today.

Dragusin who was a doubt for today's game due to illness was substituted at half time. The defence in the second half lined up with Spence and Gray as central defenders with Porro and Reguilon in the full-back possessions in front of the third choice keeper.

Remarkably, they didn't concede a goal in the second half! This was in part due to Newcastle's tactics which included sitting back and looking to only attack on the break and the employment of dark arts which included time-wasting and feigning injury after injury. Whilst almost 13 minutes of time was added on, the tactics broke Spurs momentum.

Fans pay incredibly high prices to watch Premier League football. Most seats today cost in the range of £80 to £100. The authorities have a duty to stamp out these dark arts immediately and clear the game of this widespread disease.

Irrespective of which team adopts the dark arts, it is a turn off for the fans. The dark arts, VAR and the playing around and losing the ball in a team's own half are the biggest blights on the game.

In fairness, VAR has been better used this season but the unbridled joy of scoring a goal has still been taken away from fans.

Bergvall was a big positive in the centre of Spurs midfield today and in recent weeks has shown signs of fulfilling the optimism enjoyed on signing for the club. Postecoglou was booed for taking him off but with Maddison and Sarr suspended for the Carabao Cup semi final maybe it was a case of sensible squad management.

The management of the squad over the season though hasn't always been as good as Reguilon and Spence could have been used more often.

There is a feeling that once the players return from injury, all will be well. The question is as to whether this is a Santa Claus illusion. Spurs performances weren't great before the injury crisis and given the high line and high intensity tactics, who is to say whether further injuries won't be incurred?

This was our sixth home league game without a win. We have gained 5 out of 24 points. Our one win in eight league games was against bottom of the table Southampton. Two wins out of eleven games in all competitions are quite horrendous statistics.

Postecoglou's record during his tenure hasn't been great and whether he will be a long term success at the club is questionable. With the current squad ravaged by injury and illness, there seems little point or benefit in making a change at this time.

It is a desperately difficult time. Many season ticket holders are selling their match day tickets and many who weren't able to sell for today, chose not to attend today's match with a lot of empty seats being visible in the stadium. Sadly, with Liverpool and Arsenal coming up, things are unlikely to improve in the short term.

We must hope reinforcements can be secured early in the notoriously difficult January transfer window.

. Spurs Odyssey match report

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