Takeaways from Magpies' win over unsettled Spurs
Joe Prince-Wright recaps Newcastle's statement 2-0 win over Spurs from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in Matchweek 2.
Video Transcript
Full time here at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in North London, and it finished Spurs nil, Newcastle United two.
Very sort of weird mood here at Spurs.
Obviously, the new season has brought lots of new signings.
Roberto De Zerbi's appointment, at the end of last season and into this season was meant to change things here at Spurs but felt eerily similar to the struggles last season when they just stayed up in the Premier League.
Aside from about 10 or 15 minutes at the end of the first half when Omar Marmoush was excellent, Matheus Tell, Porro were getting into good positions, that was pretty much it for Spurs.
They really just struggled to have any control of this game.
Had plenty of the ball.
They had more XG than Newcastle, but it never looked like they believed they were gonna win this game, and it just was very sloppy, just very sort of disjointed all over the pitch.
And again, you'd expect that.
It's been a lot of new signings.
But I think the main positive of Spurs here is Omar Marmoush on his debut after his arrival from Manchester City was excellent today.
Nearly scored twice in the second half.
Was the real positive, for Spurs, maybe the main positive, today because I think overall he showed me that if you can get the right players around him, if the other Spurs players can get to his level, then he can be their new bright spark and attack.
And the style of play that Spurs wanna play under De Zerbi with the transitions, counterattacks, front-footed high pressing, that suits Marmoush much better than Man City did.
So I think this is gonna be a good landing spot for him.
Still early days, but it's a really positive debut for him.
In terms of Newcastle positives were, that they got the win.
Obviously, they, last weekend against Liverpool came so close to getting that win, but Matthias Schisler must be delighted with the professionalism of his team.
Created some really good chances.
When their big moments arrived, they were clinical, took them.
The away fans, behind me here over my, right shoulder were absolutely delighted with that display.
Of course, they also let Sandro Tonali know that he should've signed, for a big club and stayed at a big club, in Newcastle.
So, Tonali had a really tough day here.
Of course, Elanga turned him really well for Newcastle's crucial first goal.
Gave the ball away a lot.
And like a lot of Spurs players early in the season, Tonali just looked off the pace, and Newcastle's fans really enjoyed seeing that after the way he left them in the summer.
But I think that both of these teams this season, the key is gonna be, in those big moments when they have those big opportunities, are their forwards gonna be clinical enough to finish that?
And Spurs have got a lot of new players coming in.
Obviously, Savio was injured today but looked bright on his debut midweek in the cup, so they'll be hoping he can come in, alongside Marmoush and really rejuvenate that attack.
But we saw for Newcastle having the likes of Johan Viossa there, to just snap up that chance and put this game to bed, that's the difference here.
Both of these teams I think will be good, solid, mid-table teams in the Premier League this season.
But depending on if they wanna qualify for Europe and be in on that scrap, it's all gonna be on their attacking side of things.
And I think with Spurs, again, just in the air of acceptance here.
The sun is shining now here in North London, but it does seem a bit gloomy and dark still here for Spurs under Roberto De Zerbi.
Like, not much has changed despite all of the money, over $400 million, spent this summer on new players.
It just felt very similar to being here last season.
So I, I think in the coming weeks and months that will change.
Again, it's still early in the season.
But the fact that Spurs have lost the opening two games of a Premier League campaign for the first time in 15 years, that does send worrying signs out there to the supporters and kinda just has them questioning, "What's changed?
What's different this season?"
And maybe, just maybe, there'll be a few more moves made late in the transfer window for De Zerbi to try and beef up this squad even more.
But a really professional display for Newcastle United here today.
Spurs, again, their own worst enemies at times.
Two poor goals to concede.
Didn't make the most of their chances, and they'll be hoping they can turn that, script around for the rest of the season.
Head over to Pro Soccer Talk on NBCSports.com.
We'll have you covered from here in North London, speak to the players after the game, sum up the vibe and the atmosphere as, again, finished Spurs nil, Newcastle two.
Deserved win for Newcastle I would say.
Just about edged it.
Really tight game.
But it's gonna be interesting to see the reaction from Tottenham's fans, Roberto De Zerbi, the players after this game because they need something positive to happen very quickly to get their season up and running.
Thanks so much for joining me here today.
We'll speak to you all from another Premier League stadium very soon.
