Newcastle's big game player, Botman and baby Ange - Five takeaways from 2-1 win at Spurs
Newcastle United won a sixth game in a row in all competitions in the lunchtime kick-off, beating Spurs 1-2 in North London. It was another deserved result as United showed a different type of performance to bring the three points back to Tyneside.
Goals from Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak turned the game around after Dominic Solanke and given Spurs an early lead.
Here are our five key takeaways from the game:
- A different type of resilience
After conceding inside four minutes, to disappointingly undue United’s recent excellent clean sheet record, the Magpies had to dig deep to overcome Spurs on Saturday afternoon. Four consecutive games blowing teams away was replaced with a gritty and determined performance (with just a sprinkling of quality) to win what was a tough encounter.
The first half was much more controlled than the second but United just couldn’t get a two-goal cushion and kill the game off. So, in a weird way, it was delightful to see the lads win a game of football in a different fashion. You can’t always play well, but if you can find a way to win ugly then you’ve always got a chance.
And with the top level, quality players Newcastle have, we will always have moments in a game, and they just about skewed in our favour on Saturday, although it could’ve, and perhaps should’ve, been more comfortable.
- Big Game Gordon
Everton fans lambasted Newcastle for spending £40m on Gordon in January 2023, well fast-forward two years, and the lad is England’s best left-sided forward/winger. Since his United debut he has played 17 times against the ‘Big’-Six and scored nine goals, with six assists too. The lad loves a big game and contributes when it matters, which is a great trait to have.
His pace, tricky and general play were excellent on Saturday, and he was a threat all afternoon. He even managed to play on after having his face rearranged by Kulusevski, showing his heart and fight too. Too be fair to Everton fans, many Newcastle fans weren’t sure about him when we bought him either, now I couldn’t imagine the team without him. Outstanding. Oh, the kiss blown to the Spurs fans, you love to see that level of confidence and arrogance.
- Botman Returns
Ten months is a long time in football, and it probably seemed a lot longer for Sven Botman as the team fell just short of our targets last season. The Rolls Royce had a shaky opening five minutes, but he soon settled into a steady performance and will have been ecstatic to complete a full 90 mins on his return.
However, I would be staggered if he played against Arsenal in the League Cup on Tuesday given the short turn around between the games; but personally, he would have a huge smile on his face following his return.
Collectively we are really starting to see strength and depth returning to the squad.
Our injury record this year has been magnificent, so hats off to whoever is responsible – but I have a sneaking suspicion that the Elite Performance Director may just have something to do with it. He could be a hell of a behind the scenes appointment if this continues long-term.
- All things being equal…
Ange ‘every defeat is down to context and nothing to do with me’ Postecoglou was not a happy man at fulltime, giving the press an angry performance in his post-match press conference. Look, I agree with him, the referees in this country are a joke – just look at the kung-fu kick on Dubravka going completely unpunished.
Ange ‘usually in my second season I win things’ Postecoglou wants games to be played on an equal footing – well it took Spurs until the 99th minute to pick up a yellow card despite committing eleven fouls, some absolutely blatant.
Ange ‘I’m angrier than I’ve ever been’ Postecoglou should take his lumps and perhaps try to make some adjustments to his playing style, rather than cry and moan about the refs – who got the handball decision right by the letter of the law, yet Gordon gets shoulder checked in the penalty area – and there’s nothing.
Add-in the fact that the coverage was also so far up Spurs’ backside the MOTM was given to their goalkeeper, even though he conceded two goals and lost the game, he really hasn’t got a leg to stand on, mate. Pressure does funny things eh, mate. (Looks down at feet, mate.)
- Another huge week ahead
The number I’ve tacked on the end of the subtitle is a joke of course, but it really feels like that at the minute with another huge away game in three days’ time at Arsenal, followed by Bromley on Sunday.
United have a huge chance to get to another cup final over two-legs against the Gunners but it will require a big performance on Tuesday to keep us in the tie, especially with Bruno suspended as we generally struggle to win games when the captain is missing.
But the way we are playing now there is truly nothing to fear. HWTL.
