We had serious doubts before the game yesterday with Tottenham.
We feared the Champions League runners-up could take us to the cleaners at their terrific new stadium – The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
And the way the game started it was all Spurs and in the game, they ended up with a massive 79.8% possession.
But hopefully, pundits see that’s a massively over-rated stat, and it’s what you do when you have the ball that really matters.
Our defense was as solid as a rock and the difference from last week at Norwich was it was like when Rafa was here.
Every player knew what they had to do – and every single player played with pride, guts, and passion throughout the game.
In particular, Dummett, Joelinton, Schar and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka set the stage for what was a magnificent 1-0 win against the north London powerhouse.
Joelinton scores the winner in the first half
Paul Dummett was terrific in what was one of his best-ever games for his home town club.
A negative was that Allan Saint-Maximin was injured after about 20 minutes.
He had chased a ball down the left wing – he was obviously brought back too quickly from his hamstring strain.
But Christian Atsu came on and after a few minutes made a defense splitting pass through to Joelinton who put the ball home brilliantly – for his first goal ever for Newcastle in a competitive game.
But Atsu also limped off at the end.
The 22-year-old Brazilian striker had a poor game last week, but his potential is enormous, and he seems to be inspired by our terrific fans who made the long journey to north London with lots of trains out of action.
All credit goes out to those fans.
And that’s the first time we have beaten Spurs since we took them apart 5-1 at home in May 2016 in our final game of that relegation season.
Bur as we said after the 3-1 defeat at Carrow Road, it’s only one game, and we shouldn’t get carried away.
But we will – just a little bit.
The 3 points mean we are still second bottom of the league and play the bottom side Watford at home next Saturday afternoon.
[table “84” not found /]If we can win that game – Watford have lost their last six successive PL games – we could be on our way this season.
This was a remarkable team performance from Newcastle, and like last season, we were terrific in defense.
Whatever Steve Bruce and the lads did in training last week worked, and since they were under enormous pressure – we must give Bruce and the boys the enormous credit they deserve.
Hopefully, the manager will continue with the formation at the back – five – which the lads are used to, and they gave a defensive masterclass yesterday – as Neil reported after the game.
The game was broadcast live around the world.
It can only help the chances of somebody coming in and finally buying the club and saving us from the owner.
If we can get the fans behind Steve and the lads after this unexpected and great win, we will be that much stronger.
It’s Leicester in the Cup on Wednesday night and then Watford on Saturday – both games at home.
Let’s get everybody behind Steve and the boys and then, as we saw over the last three seasons, anything is possible.
Howay The Lads.
38 comments so far
giimps
Aug 26, 2019 at 10:17 AM
Comment #1Bus is in turbo mode
lochinvar
Aug 26, 2019 at 10:17 AM
Comment #2Oranges and Lintons
lesh
Aug 26, 2019 at 10:19 AM
Comment #3Ed
Something tells me you enjoyed the match and the result?
You and your family deserved it and if it gave you all reasons to be very happy, let’s look forward to more of the same.
Keep smiling
giimps
Aug 26, 2019 at 10:20 AM
Comment #4I quite like tha bright orange, it’s easy to identify on the pitch
toon22
Aug 26, 2019 at 10:27 AM
Comment #5Posada
Hiya JIB
Not denying the PR then ?
Jib
Aug 26, 2019 at 10:37 AM
Comment #6No tv of any sort for the game v Leicester on Wednesday
Jib
Aug 26, 2019 at 10:40 AM
Comment #7You’re not wrong there – Spurs
AncientC
Aug 26, 2019 at 10:43 AM
Comment #8Brilliant? Sneaking a goal and then getting dominated like Divine Brown by an angry Hugh Grant isn’t what I call brilliant.
Play more game like that and we won’t strike out so lucky.
A great defensive display, but my oh-my, it was a robbery in footballing terms.
manxpie
Aug 26, 2019 at 10:47 AM
Comment #9Here’s the ritchie kick
https://twitter.com/AWSFpodcast/status/1165682853247668226?s=19
geordietom
Aug 26, 2019 at 10:50 AM
Comment #10still buzzing after yesterdays win well done the lads , and all the fans who’s travelled to the match …
posada
Aug 26, 2019 at 10:53 AM
Comment #11posada
Aug 26, 2019 at 8:08 AM
Comment #44
Watford game.
3pm kick off on a Saturday. Not live on TV.
Think it will be a sell out.
Get your tickets early. Don’t miss out.
Lets get behind Brucey and the lads.
*******************************************
Looked at this again.
I think it will be a sell out.
I’m encouraging folks to support.
That’s what supporters do.
Some seem to think it’s not allowed any more.
toon22
Aug 26, 2019 at 10:54 AM
Comment #12Nice bit of PR
😉
Australian Pie
Aug 26, 2019 at 10:54 AM
Comment #13Its actually hilarious who guys hiding on the blog after a good performance and win
DaveD1000
Aug 26, 2019 at 10:54 AM
Comment #14Thought Krafth did OK for a new lad. I never wanted AC back but I’m thinking he has had a word or two with Joe. He was a different lad Almiron was mental. Lascelles back at Captain Courageous level. My cheeks hurt from grinning like a Loon.
toon22
Aug 26, 2019 at 10:54 AM
Comment #15Still want Jabba gone regardless
One win isn’t going to change 13 years of asset stripping
Moonraker15
Aug 26, 2019 at 10:57 AM
Comment #16Jib @7
Which Spurs legend said that?
AncientC
Aug 26, 2019 at 10:57 AM
Comment #17I sure hope Bruce can give us a few more games with 20% possession and parking the bus. Great days ahead. Yikes.
Jib
Aug 26, 2019 at 10:59 AM
Comment #18Moonraker
It was their manager Bill Nicholson
Moonraker15
Aug 26, 2019 at 11:01 AM
Comment #19Toon22
It has to be our ambition to get shot of Ashley but none of us can fail to be lifted by a great victory like that!
I was wrong I predicted we’re going down but I would back us to stay up now.
It has to be said though, that the fans reaction to our previous 2 games had a huge effect on the squad and Bruce!
beefman13
Aug 26, 2019 at 11:01 AM
Comment #20Watching those away fans celebrating, incredible, imo the club at this moment in time without doubt do not deserve them, it is everything to those lads, the joy was outstanding, they especially deserve so much more of it.
Jib
Aug 26, 2019 at 11:01 AM
Comment #21I think Nicholson was quoting Danny Blachflower
“The great fallacy is that the game is first and last about winning. It is nothing of the kind. The game is about glory, it is about doing things in style and with a flourish, about going out and beating the other lot, not waiting for them to die of boredom.”
Moonraker15
Aug 26, 2019 at 11:02 AM
Comment #22Jib
No, captain Danny Blanchflower said it in his autobiography.
Rotonda heights
Aug 26, 2019 at 11:03 AM
Comment #23Great, great day yesterday although I missed first few mins waiting for Ben Stokes at the end of the most tension racked thing I’ve ever seen.Wonder what odds you could have got for a NUFC win away at spuds and an England victory.
Just very quickly and no it’s not point scoring against Munster and jib. Yesterday the team appeared to revisit a Rafa formation and everyone seemed a lot happier and knowing what they were meant to do. However, when Rafa employed the system very effectively he was called defensive. No one is calling Bruce negative, even though we only had very little possession.
If Bruce is improving that’s great and it is recognised as such, but can we please stop with the endless digs at Rafa. He played that way for a reason, ie the resources at his disposal.
Australian Pie
Aug 26, 2019 at 11:04 AM
Comment #24Ancient we just beat spurs away ya muppet, enjoy it, you can go back to being miserable tomorrow
Mag :P
Aug 26, 2019 at 11:08 AM
Comment #25Wow.
Ancients got the hump because his favourite player (shelvey) got dropped.
Not one ounce of praise for a decision which got us the win.
Sneaking a goal? We gave Spurs a warning sign literally just before the goal. You also make it sound like we were lucky with the goal, even though it was one of the best worked goals so far this season.
What team do you actually support? Madness.
Moonraker15
Aug 26, 2019 at 11:08 AM
Comment #26Fan power succeeds again and they reacted as they should do!
The rivals can say what they like about us but that victory was down to us I’m sure!
Moonraker15
Aug 26, 2019 at 11:12 AM
Comment #27Atsu was like a man possessed and Ritchie was unbelievable in his passion.
F….. brilliant I was so proud and then my son in law FaceTimed me from the Dominican Republic and the bloody waiters from the hotel were cheering! Unbelievable experience!
Australian Pie
Aug 26, 2019 at 11:13 AM
Comment #28I would take 25% possession away at spurs and a win any day
Moonraker15
Aug 26, 2019 at 11:18 AM
Comment #29Beefman
I totally agree about the fans deserve so much more and one day they will surely get it!
Just a fan
Aug 26, 2019 at 11:22 AM
Comment #30Toon 22
Just try and enjoy the moment.this is why we watch football.
Ancient c you as well.stop suckling lemons for a couple of days .
Pottsclock
Aug 26, 2019 at 11:22 AM
Comment #31Great performance yesterday. And yes, plenty of room for improvement still. This team will be refined over the coming weeks and months. Joelintin is still adapting and will improve. S Longstaff still way from his best. Other new players settling still although I think we can say that Kraft looked fairly solid in an area that has been a problem for us.
The real challenge is whether we can adapt to a more attacking style against other teams and particularly at home with a new frontline. I think we can.
Charlie in the Gallowgate
Aug 26, 2019 at 11:23 AM
Comment #32I would say there was a slight difference to Rafa’s style of play
Joelinton especially first half played a lot higher up the pitch and didn’t need to track back as much so led to an outlet when we cleared the ball
Also when attacked we committed more men forward at pace ie Atsu and Almiron and Longstaffe to link up with Joelinton.
Alsp corners with Rafa we defended with 11 in the box with no outlet when we cleared – yesterday we left one further forward of the penalty box hopefully as the outlet
AncientC
Aug 26, 2019 at 11:23 AM
Comment #33Mag P, you are easily pleased. How many games do you think will be won following the formula yesterday. It was guerrilla warfare, a lapse by the opponent, then run for the hills with the tail between the legs.
The Benitez magic will not last forever on this defence.
Bruce needs to coach some football into this side… I have seen nothing to suggest that Bruce isn’t living of Rafa’s legacy.
Jib
Aug 26, 2019 at 11:25 AM
Comment #34Last week, Garth Crooks dubbed Newcastle ‘rudderless’
This Monday he names Dubravka and Dummett in his team
of the week.
Moonraker15
Aug 26, 2019 at 11:27 AM
Comment #35Potts
At home I think we should continue with a counter attacking style as most teams won’t sit in against us and we have quick forwards in ASM, Miggy and Atsu who looked reborn yesterday!
Moonraker15
Aug 26, 2019 at 11:33 AM
Comment #36Pundits are basically football parasites. Souness was scathing of all things Newcastle before the match and singing our praises afterwards. Maybe next time he’ll be more reasonable!
Munster Mag
Aug 26, 2019 at 11:46 AM
Comment #37Ancient C you dont understand football if thats your opinion on yesterday. Stick to labour politics!
mfw13
Aug 26, 2019 at 4:54 PM
Comment #38Probably the best defensive performance by Newcastle in a long time.
Spurs didn’t have any “good” chances, and every time they threatened, someone stepped up and got the ball out of trouble.