Newcastle enjoyed an impressive first 28 minutes of the first half culminating in a Joelinton strike for a brief lead. However, the goal awakened Spurs who got two quick goals from Harry Kane to take a 2-1 lead into halftime.
The lads were set up in a 5-3-2 with Krafth, Lascelles, and Dummett as center-backs. Ritchie and Murphy were the wing-backs with Shelvey sitting behind Sean Longstaff and Almiron in the midfield. Dwight Gayle and Joelinton were up top.
Both clubs had some early opportunities with Joelinton getting off the first shot on target of the match. The Brazilian won the ball deep but his shot from just outside the area was straight to Hugo Lloris.
Newcastle won a couple of corners around the 15-minute mark. First, Emil Krafth did well to shrug off a couple of Spurs to drive into the area where his shot was blocked. Minutes later Jacob Murphy launched a deep cross where Dwight Gayle had his poor header blocked out for another corner.
Newcastle were so close to going ahead in the 19th minute. Jonjo Shelvey retrieved the ball after a tackle dispossessed Murphy. Shelvey flicked in a delivery that Dwight Gayle headed towards the far post. Lloris made an outstanding diving save but the ball landed back to Gayle whose follow-up effort was also saved.
The Magpies took the lead through Joelinton in the 28th minute. A poor clearance was intercepted by Ritchie who got the ball to Sean Longstaff in the box. The Geordie played a great pass to Joelinton on the right and the Brazilian slotted it home.
However, the lead lasted barely more than a minute as some shambolic defending allowed an easy tap in for Harry Kane. Lo Celso surged into the box and pushed a pass to Kane. Emil Krafth came across the striker but didn’t do much of anything as Dubravka also was caught out. Kane was able to roll the ball into the open net.
Kane added another in the 34th minute as Spurs were dominant after Joelinton’s goal. Ndombele found Kane in the box and he blasted the ball past Dubravka to make it 2-1.
Newcastle did well not to fold after Tottenham took the lead. The lads gathered themselves, regained their composure, and had some decent spells but couldn’t create any clear chances.
Except for the six minutes following Joelinton’s goal, Newcastle have looked good and can get something from this match if they continue to fight in the second half.
151 comments so far
TomaKaThor
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:03 PM
Comment #1Why wasn’t Kane’s 2nd even looked at by VAR? It was borderline..unless I missed someone else keeping him on easily
ShirebrookToon
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:03 PM
Comment #2Sadpoofaceemoji!
simon376
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:03 PM
Comment #3Lets have Willock for Shelvey and St Max for Joelinton and see if we can nick this
magic hat
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:04 PM
Comment #4kanes second was well on side there was defenders in front of him.
Tackle from behind
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:04 PM
Comment #5Tomka
He was well onside when it came in, then it bobbled off one of our players and he was kept onside by Lascelles over the far side.
No offside.
Uncertain Toon/World
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:04 PM
Comment #6Gayle getting in good areas, should have scored and that pass to Almiron was woeful.
Shelvey looks like he can find people today.
Should be at least level.
Tis not over yet
TomaKaThor
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:05 PM
Comment #7I’d keep Joelinton on simply because he’s the only one who can somewhat hold the ball up
Tackle from behind
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:05 PM
Comment #8Get a few of them off – and get some more Krafts on.
magic hat
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:06 PM
Comment #9need to let murphy go at them a bit more. hes playing like he on a leash.
Pottsclock
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:06 PM
Comment #10Murphy knows how to put a ball into the box. Had to start more in the remaining matches
Uncertain Toon/World
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:06 PM
Comment #11Simon,
I agree, go balls out from the whistle and try to get level early, and then introduce them pair
Tartantoon
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:06 PM
Comment #12It’s so depressing. Much better half than I expected, but still losing as Gayle can’t hit an easy pass, Longstaff can’t shoot from 3 yards with his left foot and Krafth thinks it’s better to pass to a non existent team mate rather than put the ball out for a corner. Spurs defending has been awful and even a mediocre team would be at least 2 up against them.
Tackle from behind
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:06 PM
Comment #13Spurs good going forward – very dodgy at the back.
We just need some nerve and a bit of control and we can get a result.
Those seem to be too much of an ask for us though.
magic hat
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:07 PM
Comment #14poor pass by gayle but when it was played you’d have thought if anyone could get on it it’d be almiron. krafts been poorest player on the field for us by some distance.
Mund
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:07 PM
Comment #15Krafth ffs why does he persist on playing him? a total liability and not even a league one defender never mind a PL one
Tartantoon
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:08 PM
Comment #16What have we done to deserve an Ashley/Bruce combo?
Uncertain Toon/World
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:08 PM
Comment #17Bollox, son is coming on!
Mund
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:08 PM
Comment #18Kane is having fun and games with our centre halves not one watches his run
WLtoon
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:08 PM
Comment #19Son coming on, great
TomaKaThor
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:08 PM
Comment #20Not good. .son coming on
Romford mag
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:08 PM
Comment #21Luckily we’re not suspect at both 😳
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:09 PM
Comment #22There has been bits too like about that half defensively we are poor under Bruce I don’t think we would have conceded those goals under Rafa
Longstaff, Richie and Murphy battling for every ball is a welcome change from Hendrick going through the motions
Just a Fat Dave Bassett
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:09 PM
Comment #23I think we will get something out of this game. Playing well. I suspected before KO Jones had chose the tactics again, now Im fairly certain. The thinking behind Krath Dummett is they can get out onto fullback positions, and allow Murphy Ritchie to play as wingers almost. 3-4-1-2.
Slatymag
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:09 PM
Comment #24Missus just asked how the game is going. I told her the toon were losing but actually trying and you can’t ask for more than that.
Expectations lowered to such a level. The Bruce effect. Now basic effort is seen as something akin to success. That’s how low we’ve sunk – being pleased to watch players giving it a go.
The Prince's Mate
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:09 PM
Comment #25Tartantoon….I’m depressed as well but I look at you avatar and just slobber….sorry…smile
Tackle from behind
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:10 PM
Comment #26Krafth is hurt
Must have been some nasty comments.
Mund
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:12 PM
Comment #27If it was that tackle he would be 10 feet under 😉
Uncertain Toon/World
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:13 PM
Comment #28We need to keep slagging Krafth off, coz then he’ll score
davetoon
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:14 PM
Comment #29Of course Gayle and Murphy are going to be rusty as they hardly get a game ffs, especially Gayle
toon22
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:14 PM
Comment #30How much better is Longstaff comepared with hendrick
WLtoon
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:15 PM
Comment #31Whats up with Dubs, he looks cagey as foot
toon22
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:15 PM
Comment #32Howay Joe yer big lump
Get another goal
The Prince's Mate
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:15 PM
Comment #33Mund….”Krafth ffs why does he persist on playing him?”
Probably because our beloved owner asks? our technically gifted manager/coach. hahaha ha. ..to play him???
Toon67
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:16 PM
Comment #34Longstaff has had better games for us but he’s still miles better than what Hendrick would be.
Tackle from behind
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:18 PM
Comment #35Thought Shelvey was off there like.
Mund
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:19 PM
Comment #36Princes
I’d rather take a chance with a youngster as every time Krafth has the ball drop around him im petrified lol I really expect him to foot up every single time.
nufcursed
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:20 PM
Comment #37Shelvey is too dumb to be a footballer
JAMSHA
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:20 PM
Comment #38gayle , joe out, saint , elliot in
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:20 PM
Comment #39Bruce being petty leaving Richie and Longstaff out for half a season while not giving Murphy a run in the team ahead of Hendrick has cost us big time this season
Uncertain Toon/World
Apr 4, 2021 at 3:20 PM
Comment #40So, did Fraser get injured in training?
Nowt mentioned after Scotland game on wednesday