Newcastle punish Tottenham to leave De Zerbi searching for answers

Tottenham suffered a second successive Premier League defeat as Newcastle United won 2-0 at the Stadium of Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, making Roberto De Zerbi’s start in charge even more difficult. The match was Tottenham’s first home fixture of the season, while Newcastle’s latest victory lifted them to third in the table.

Newcastle began with greater intensity, encouraged by their 2-2 draw with Liverpool in their previous league match. Their early pressure unsettled the hosts, although Tottenham gradually regained control and created several opportunities without finding a way past goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek.

Mathys Tel came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 15th minute. The Tottenham forward struck a powerful effort, but Hornicek reacted well to keep it out.

Tottenham were presented with another opening two minutes later when confusion in the Newcastle penalty area allowed Pedro Porro to attempt a finish. His chance went unconverted as the home side continued to search for an opening.

Hornicek remained Newcastle’s most important player before the interval. He saved a shot from Robertson in the 36th minute and produced another fine stop moments later to deny a header from Jan Paul van Hecke.

Despite Tottenham’s pressure and Newcastle’s early attacking threat, neither side could score before half-time.

Newcastle eventually made their pressure count in the second half. Anthony Elanga opened the scoring in the 62nd minute after receiving a pass from Amar Dedic inside the penalty area.

Elanga’s effort struck the right-hand post before crossing the line, giving Newcastle the lead and leaving Tottenham with a difficult task in their first home game under De Zerbi.

The visitors doubled their advantage 10 minutes later. Yoane Wissa finished with an outstanding acrobatic strike from a corner in the 72nd minute, putting Newcastle firmly in control.

Matthias Jaissle’s side saw out the remainder of the match to secure three more points and continue their strong early-season form. Newcastle moved up to third place in the Premier League standings as a result.

For Tottenham, the loss represented their second defeat in the opening two rounds of the campaign. It is the club’s worst start to a season, and De Zerbi now faces the challenge of correcting the team’s direction quickly.

The game also marked Omar Marmoush’s first appearance in a Tottenham shirt. His arrival had offered another attacking option, but Tottenham were unable to turn their chances into goals and were ultimately punished by a Newcastle side that proved more clinical in the second half.

The defeat leaves Tottenham needing an immediate response, while Newcastle return from north London with another significant result after holding Liverpool in their previous outing.