Tottenham Hotspurs are finally showing consistency in the race for European places. The 5-1 win over Newcastle was their third in a row – a record under coach Antonio Conte.
It was the expected game from the start: The visitors retreated deep into their own half and let Spurs have the ball. However, the Londoners did not capitalise on their many shares of the game. Apart from two long-range shots by Kane (15th) and Son (29th), little happened in the first half.
Davies quickly equalises
It was only in the closing stages of half one that things got furious. At first, the Magpies, who really did not take place in the offensive, showed themselves efficient. The visitors took their first chance to take the lead: Schär headed a free kick from the edge of the box into the corner of the net – Lloris did not look good when he conceded the goal (39th). But as Tottenham were still not able to create much from the game, a standard provided the quick answer. Son’s second cross was nodded into the net by Davies to make it 1-1 (43rd) – and that was the score going into the break.
Antonio Conte seemed to have found the right words in the dressing room. Spurs started the second half as if unleashed and turned the game around shortly after the break. Doherty scored a flying header after a Kane cross to make it 2-1 (48th). But it was to get even more bitter for the visitors: Only six minutes later, Son made it 3:1 after a good combination via Kane and Kulusevski.
Emerson Royal and Bergwijn set up the final score
The two-goal lead was apparently not enough for the home side – Tottenham pressed for the next goal, but were lucky that a Bentancur clearance did not end up in their own net (59th). That was to remain the only goal approach of the visitors in the second half.
After that, it was all in the direction of Magpies keeper Dubravka, who had to get the ball out of his own goal for the fourth time in the 63rd minute. Emerson Royal converted a Doherty cross and made it clear.
While the visitors were still struggling with the conceded goal, Son almost increased the lead to 5:1. However, the South Korean put the ball free next to the goal (64th). The substitute Bergwijn did better in the final phase – the Dutchman kept his cool in a one-on-one with Dubravka and scored the 5:1 final goal (83rd).
The win was also a first for Spurs under head coach Conte, as Tottenham won three games in a row for the first time under the Italian’s guidance. The series temporarily lifts Spurs to fourth place. However, Arsenal FC, who play Crystal Palace tomorrow evening, can jump back into the Champions League with a draw. Newcastle, on the other hand, suffered their third defeat in a row. Nevertheless, the gap to the first relegation place is still nine points
For Newcastle, it continues on Friday against Wolverhampton Wanderers (9pm). Spurs host Aston Villa in Birmingham a day later (6.30pm).
