Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United. Premier League.
Tottenham Hotspur StadiumAttendance61,726.
Match report and free highlights as first-half goals from Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron end Tottenham's 100 per cent Premier League home record; Newcastle rise to fourth in the table despite Harry Kane's second-half effort
Monday 24 October 2022 07:39, UK
Newcastle's revolution under Eddie Howe gathered pace as first-half goals from Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron landed a statement 2-1 win at Tottenham on Super Sunday that moved them into the top four.
Wilson put Newcastle ahead in the 31st minute, when, after chasing down a Fabian Schar through ball, he collided with Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who went down after contact with the Newcastle forward.
The striker was first to the loose ball and lobbed both Lloris and Eric Dier to grab the opener, with a VAR check confirming no foul had been committed.
Newcastle doubled their lead five minutes before half-time through Almiron. Lloris' poor attempted pass was headed down by Sean Longstaff to Almiron, who dribbled past Ryan Sessegnon and Clement Lenglet before he fired under the Spurs goalkeeper to make it 2-0.
Harry Kane scored his customary goal against Newcastle to give Antonio Conte's side hope, but it would not prevent a second straight Premier League defeat, with the result moving the visitors up to fourth position, two points and a place behind Spurs after a fourth win in five games.
Newcastle may just be on to something.
Unbeaten in seven games, they have lost only once all season and have conceded the fewest goals in the division, testament not only to their new-found spending power, but also the transformation they have undergone on the pitch under head coach Howe.
"It was a big win," Howe said afterwards. "We were determined to come here and be positive. Great display from us. We deserved the win.
"My players deserve all the credit for how we attacked the game. We executed the game plan really well. It wasn't without problems - they have world-class players. They had a few long-range shots and dangerous counter-attacks early on. Once we solved that we were OK."
Spurs dropped points in a Premier League home game for the first time since April - a 1-0 defeat to Brighton - ending a run of eight consecutive league wins at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Writing in his programme notes, Conte admitted his side "did not deserve anything" from the midweek trip to Old Trafford, where Manchester United's 2-0 win was overshadowed by Cristiano Ronaldo's refusal to be a late substitute, but the Italian labelled it a "learning experience".
The hosts made a bright start here, with Heung-Min Son having four attempts in the opening 45 minutes, his first coming inside 45 seconds as Nick Pope was drawn into a routine save.
Two further attempts inside the first 10 minutes cleared Pope's crossbar, but he ought to have broken the deadlock when he glided onto Kane's through ball only to see his dinked effort cleared by Kieran Trippier on the goal line.
But it would soon unravel in stunning fashion for Conte's side, courtesy of another Lloris clanger. There appeared very little danger when he raced from his line seeking to cut out Schar's long ball, but a poor control allowed Wilson to pounce and produce a composed finish into the unguarded net.
Asked if he was concerned the goal would be chalked off, Wilson said: "No, of course not. I had every right to go for the ball having seen the goalkeeper steaming out. I'm challenging, he's challenging. Sometimes the goalkeepers get too much love from the referee and too quick to give fouls but he's dived into me. A nice goal."
Newcastle end the day in fourth position in the Premier League - it is the first time they have been in the top four of the table with as many as 12 games played since April 2012.
Having been in charge for nearly a year, this side is barely recognisable to the one Howe inherited, with the Magpies arriving in north London with just one league defeat to their name, a dramatic loss at Liverpool at the end of August.
With three wins in their four previous games shooting Newcastle up to sixth place in the table, Howe called on his side to be a nightmare to play against on Sunday in order to cement their elevated status - and they doubled their lead in clinical fashion.
It was another poor moment for Lloris as his attempted play out from the back was intercepted by Longstaff in front of Sessegnon before Almiron skipped past Lenglet to spear his shot under Lloris and into the bottom corner.
Newcastle were incensed when they felt they ought to have been awarded a penalty eight minutes after the restart when Joelinton's far-post header appeared to hit the outstretched arm of Emerson Royal but Spurs were handed a reprieve.
Those visiting supporters and Howe were even more irate when Kane halved the deficit just two minutes later as Son's corner was flicked on by Lenglet and headed home by the stooping Kane, who survived a lengthy VAR call for offside to celebrate a sixth Premier League goal in as many games.
But Newcastle refused to sit back and looked dangerous on the counter as Joe Willock's teasing shot was very nearly diverted on target by the lively Wilson. It would have provided the visitors with an insurance goal they would ultimately not need.
No team have lost fewer games than Newcastle in the Premier League this season. Indeed, this is the joint-fewest defeats the Magpies have had after 12 games of a Premier League campaign, along with 1994-95, 1995-96 and 2011-12 - they finished in the top six in each of the previous three instances.
Something is building at St James' Park.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on the opening goal: "I haven't seen it again. It looked like the two players came together. Why should that foul go in the way of the defending team?"
"There is a long way to go. Very tight division. We're enjoying the moment but we won't get ahead of ourselves. We'll try to win. I'm sure people will talk us up but I don't want to put any external pressure on my players.
"I thought it was a really, really good performance and probably the best since I have been here.
"The season is very early in its formation but at the moment it looks good. We still have key players missing who will make the squad stronger so once we get a fully fit squad, the future is exciting because I still don't think we are at 100 per cent full speed yet.
"Of course we don't want it to be a one-off but we are very respectful of the league and other clubs' quality. We do also believe in ourselves and we believe we can achieve special things with this group.
"I think the key thing is not to get carried away from my perspective or the players' perspective in terms of what we've done because it is one game. We want to do it on a regular basis but it is easier said than done so enjoy today and then focus on training next week."
Tottenham boss Antonio Conte: "The fans have to understand we are doing our best in every moment. The commitment was really high. It is a difficult moment for us as we don't have three or four players in the squad then you are in trouble. We have to try to manage and overcome this situation together. This squad can't allow us to lose four players.
"You see the title contenders in these periods when you play every three days because you need to have a depth in your squad. A strong squad with great quality. We have only just started our process. From the Conference League we are now playing Champions League. We are trying to improve step-by-step but you need time and patience. With my experience we are doing well, not the best, but we need time and patience. And to understand ways we can overcome problems in the future.
"If we play one game every six or seven days we can fight for something important. To play a lot of games every three days, we need to build our path and patience. We can't invent wins or do a miracle.
"We have just started the process. If someone doesn't want to listen, it's not my problem. From my experience we have to have patience. These players want to work a lot but it's not enough. If we have many injuries it affects our season."
Sky Sports' Jamie Redknapp on Antonio Conte:
"He is talking about the process taking a few years but I think I am right in saying that he has only got until the summer when his contract ends.
"He is a manager who works in short bursts. He goes in somewhere for three years, wins, and then normally he goes somewhere else.
"It is not an easy conversation to have but if we are talking about process, if I am a player there you need to know that he wants to be there and he is part of that process. Normally, a manager of his ilk would be signed up by now.
"We are very close to Christmas, the World Cup, the season can be over very quickly. You need to get him tied up so he can talk about who he wants in.
"You need to get Harry Kane signed up, he has 18 months left on his contract as well. These are really important factors that they have to get right as a club because they can't have Harry Kane leaving and they certainly can't have the manager leaving."
Newcastle midfielder - and new dad - Bruno Guimaraes to Sky Sports: "They've been amazing days for me, to become a father for the first time. It's been incredible. I've had two days without sleep. I would stay home but I love to be here with these guys. They make me happy and proud, and I think we deserved it today."
On his son Matteo's birth, the Brazilian added: "It was one of the best days of my life. I'm very happy and proud. It's been like a dream. I don't have words because it's amazing what has happened in my life.
"I say thanks to my family. It's been difficult but it's all worth it."
Callum Wilson added: "It was a win for Matteo!"
Almiron has scored five goals in his last five Premier League appearances for Newcastle, as many as he had in his previous 61 games in the competition combined.
Howe said of the in-form winger: "Miggy [Almiron] has always been a fantastic player. He's just adding goals to his game. When he's in front of goal you think he's going to score. His performance today was excellent."
It was a day to forget for Tottenham's Eric Dier, who despite making the most number of clearances (nine) and touches (91) in a Spurs shirt, 20 of his 77 passes were wayward in a ragged display that didn't further his claims to be part of Gareth Southgate's squad. One meant for Lloris very nearly ended up in his own goal but went straight out of play.
Centre-back is increasingly becoming a problem position for England in the absence of John Stones through injury but Raphael Varane's spell out now should at least allow Harry Maguire the chance of regular football at Manchester United.
Dier must therefore swiftly draw a line under this off day. There is very little to add about Harry Kane, who was Tottenham's best player. He will want to be playing in a team that is winning, however, between now and Qatar and Tottenham's league season has lost all momentum.
There was a winning return to these parts for Kieran Trippier, who wasn't strong enough at the far post to deny Kane his goal but this was an otherwise polished display which further cements his chances of starting at the World Cup.
When asked about his chances of making Southgate's final 26-man squad, Callum Wilson told Sky Sports: "Of course. I'm trying to add goals and improve my all-round performance. Hopefully it catches the eye of the England manager. I remember years ago I was in Qatar doing rehab and they were building stadiums. I did say then I'll come back. I've got one eye on that."
Tottenham return to Champions League action on Wednesday when they host Sporting Lisbon (kick-off 8pm), while Newcastle welcome managerless Aston Villa to St James' Park in the Premier League on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
