At the start of the season, Tottenham Hotspur were expected to provide a stiff challenge for a much coveted spot in the top four of the English Premiership. But just three months into the new season and the hope of playing in the UEFA Champions League is looking slimmer than ever.
Before their trip to St. James’ Park on Monday evening in the Premiership, Spurs had won just one game out of nine league games and now their agony stretches to 10. They were blown away by a sturdy Newcastle United side that rarely let the Spurs midfield dictate the rhythm of play. The 3-1 defeat to a sharply improving Newcastle side was underlined by lack of cohesion and attacking abilities, two elements that have been missing since the start of the season.
The first 45 minutes of the match was pretty much an even affair with only a Michael Dawson mistake allowing the Geordies’ Obafemi Martins to gift Newcastle the lead just before halftime. Till then, Spurs were decent defending despite the absence of Ledley King from the backline but that opening goal led to the utter collapse of Martin Jol’s side.
Claudio Cacapa scored the second goal for Sam Allardyce’s stern team 6 minutes into the second half and this time Dawson again was the main culprit. Although Robbie Keane pulled one back just before the hour mark with what was his seventh goal in as many games, the hosts didn’t drop deep and defend. The long awaited debut of Joey Barton had an immediate impact as James Milner scored in the 73rd minute with a screaming left volley of which Spurs stand-in goalkeeper Radek Cerney didn’t even have a clue.
Jol’s Spurs stay third from bottom with just 7 points from 10 matches, having conceded 21 goals. Their defense has been leaking consistently in the Premiership so far this season and Jol needs to address this side of the problem. On the other hand, Big Sam’s improving Newcastle climb to 8th in the table with this 3-1 win at St. James’ Park over Spurs and lie just one point off a UEFA Cup spot.
Image Source: Ic Network
Source: The Independent, UK
