Pain at the Lane! Tottenham 5-0 Newcastle

Adebayor does the damage
Newcastle took on Tottenham last night knowing that a win would take them to a lofty fourth place in the Premier League.

However what happened next demonstrated the gulf in class between us and a true top for team as we came up against a rampant Tottenham outfit who put Alan Pardew’s men to the sword.

Tottenham were outstanding in all honesty. With pace and creativity all over the park they got through us time and time again and unfortunately that was reflected in the 5-0 scoreline. While Pardew got it wrong in my view, I’m not blinkered enough (unlike some) to put the blame solely at the feet of the manager. The players should take their fair share of the blame, especially in defence.

The game started off bad and only went in one direction from then on. Newcastle found themselves two down within the opening six minutes thanks to goals from Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Louis Saha and four goals down after 34 minutes, Louis Saha again and Niko Kranjcar doing the damage. The scary thing is that it could have been even worse!

The second half resembled a training exercise in truth. Tottenham coasted but you could tell they had an extra gear to slip into if they required. The duly made it 5-0 through Emmanuel Adebayor – who had a hand in the first four goals – just after the hour mark as he volleyed past Tim Krul.

Newcastle had their chances. A penalty was turned down at 2-0 and Demba Ba and Dan Gosling had efforts late on, aswell as Gabriel Obertan who registered our only on target effort of the first half, but the reality is that Tottenham were sublime and could have beaten anyone last night.

However that shouldn’t detract from the fact that our players were poor. To a man they virtually all underperformed with the only credit I’m willing to give going to Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse, but only because the rest of the team were awful/Tottenham were awesome and never gave our strikers anything to work off.

Some consolation was the fact that other results went our way. We’re still one point off fourth place and three points clear of sixth although it has to be said that fourth place is not where we’re likely to end up at the end of the season.

A bad day at the office all round, and I’d like to apologise for the delay in the match report although I do have a small story which will cheer some people up. Essentially the delay is because I was working yesterday and couldn’t watch the match, so I’ve had to watch it again to form an opinion on it before typing this out. Why did I miss the match? Simple… Because I’d broken down near Bristol with a coach load of Tottenham fans who had tickets to the match on board. It made me smile anyway!

We have two weeks without a game now. An ideal window to regroup ready to face Wolves at St James’ Park in a fortnight, with a refreshed Yohan Cabaye and an influential Cheik Tiote back in the ranks we’ll give a much better account of ourselves after stewing on this defeat for a while I’m sure.

Howay the lads!

Tottenham: Friedel, Walker, Dawson, King, Assou-Ekotto, Krancjar, Parker, Modric, Bale, Saha, Adebayor

Subs: Defoe, Nelsen, Cudicini, Khumalo, Lennon, Rose, Livermore

Newcastle: Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, Santon, Obertan, Guthrie, Perch,Gutierrez, Ba, Cisse

Subs: Elliot, Ferguson, Gosling, Abeid, Ben Arfa, Lovenkrands, Shola

About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

148 thoughts on “Pain at the Lane! Tottenham 5-0 Newcastle

  1. Ive just posted on the previous thread about Defoe, at 5-0 and cruising, did he really have to dive for a pen and then disgustingly try to get Collocini sent off by feigning injury? Class one wanka.

      (Quote)

  2. Shouldn’t have played 4-4-2 with Guthrie and Perch in centre mid in hindsight and thats not just because Spurs would over run us. With a midfield like that you need an extra player in there but also we had to front men with essentially no service whatsoever. Effectively playing with with 9 men.

    We’ve had a great season but this shows the difference in class and in my opinion our severe weaknesses in the squad.

    At least there’s a good break, we’ll have our best two midfielders back and we’re at home against a team I fully expect us to beat.

      (Quote)

  3. I think our lads never got going and what Spuds did yesterday was an absolute masterclass. Best footballing performance I’ve seen this season.

    Dammit.

    I don’t think we should beat our lads up too much; they’d have got a few past. Barca playing like that. Obviously the buzz from Arry’s escape from clink has overridden the effect of knowing he’s probably off soon.

    Dammit.

      (Quote)

  4. Cheer up lads. This was largely your reserve team wasn’t it?

    Once you have your mid-field and main defenders back I’m sure you will still be in the mix at the end.

      (Quote)

  5. Bad Luck Newcastle,

    Unfortunately, it just wasn’t your day.

    Harry and the Team had a point to prove – next up it’s Mind Yer’ Backs **** And Hole at the Empty Crates Stadium………………….

    And, they have no Henry fellow only some one called Van Persil……….or, somefing like that………………………We have Van The Man……………..and a few others who can do a lot of damage……………………………

      (Quote)

  6. toonsy your a martyr mate watching that one,after that result 😀 spurs would have beaten any team yesterday,we just have to put it to bed,we will beat wolves and the scum with a full team.Still think we will finish fourth and im sober 😆 😆

      (Quote)

  7. Robert, watch the Defoe incident again if you can, Defoe was definitely caught. T V replay showed there was contact – penalty.

      (Quote)

  8. As a Spurs fan I was gutted that I could not see all of this game, it being on ESPN. However we did look very good on what I saw so well done lads. Get a draw away at Arsenal and I’ll believe we can make Champions League.
    Don’t worry Newcastle, I can remember you thrashing us like this on a number of occasions, and you’ll come again if you believe.

      (Quote)

  9. Got to hand it to Spurs they are a very good side. Gutted about the scoreline but these things happen and Spurs played us off the park. But we live to fight another day and all that ****.

      (Quote)

  10. Saha looked a class act. all those years wasted with dud partners at Everton. All they had to do to progress was buy a 200k per week striker 😯

      (Quote)

  11. Better teams than us have been hammered this season, Spurs and Manure to name 2, now we have to do what they did and become stronger for it.
    We were beaten by a quality team at the top of their game, it’s done and dusted. Next!

      (Quote)

  12. Few on here burying their head in the sands IMO.

    Spurs were good but our defending was a shambles. Everytime they attacked in the first half they scored. The marking was poor and they had no protection from midfield so we need to look at our own performance too.

      (Quote)

  13. The decision to play 442 was ridiculous but pardew hasnt got much wrong this season and were still in a great postion in the league.

    Fortunately for us that was our hardest remaining fixture and with Tiote and Cabaye back, A two week break to get some injuries cleared up and winnable back to back home games, Well get back on track…

      (Quote)

  14. In the first 11 games of the season we conceeded only 8 goals
    In the following 14 games we have let in 28.
    Does this not tell us something about our defensive (joke!) unit.
    Its all well and good blaming Pardew and his tictacs, the formation we started the game with etc, but the back 4 (all of them) were as much to blame.

      (Quote)

  15. I actually think that manu would have got battered yesterday by spuds… they were just far too good.

    We caught them on a very good day. Our performance didnt help however and we could have a least put up some fight. 😕

      (Quote)

  16. Was a terrible performance … we can get away with playing perch and guthrie against teams outside top 6, but anything higher than that and it is carnage .. obertan took a lot of stick from fans at the game, and he did fail to to some basics, but to be honest, im not yet expecting or looking to him to shoulder responsibility for the team .. Williamson, like perch and guthrie, found wanting against quality as was simpson .. but most worrying was the total lack of leadership – Collo just did not do enough in my opinion .. Adebayor and Saha needed to be clattered hard to put them out of their stride and team shape enforced and he did not appear to be making that happen .. any case, was expecting this without tiote and cabaye – even if the latter has been a little off form, and expect a much better showing next time out with those 2 back

      (Quote)

  17. Liam – I think we DO miss STaylor. Blunders n all.
    He sure controlled the back 4 -especially simpson- far better than Colo is doing.
    Simpson needs constantly kicking up the **** and STaylor did that. Now he gets away with being a lazy useless tw@t.
    I wont shed a tear if he doesn’t get a new contract, but we need a quality right full back to replace him in the summer.

      (Quote)

  18. I find it laughable that sky can sack rodney marsh over some stupid comment made on air which should have been dealt with by a public apology and they refuse to sack that drink driving scum who poses a genuine threat ot public safety…

    Hate merson how can illiterate morons like him land high profile positions like that, Then again the next england manager has to sign a x on his contracts… 🙄

      (Quote)

  19. Spuds were excellent, but we made them look even better with some shocking defending.
    Obertan was lazy tracking back unless it was him who lost possession and Simpson was woefully out of position a number of times… Santon wasn’t innocent himself.

    Jonas has seemed to lack pace recently, can’t beat his man and Perch was just out of his depth. Can’t blame him…

    Guthrie was ok, but just tried too much and too hard to make things happen… Again no blame if your 3-0 down so soon.

    I thought Ba and Cisse were ok for the scraps they had to feed off…

    Heard a few comments that Cisse was poor… But he put in two very decent crosses, played in Santon with a clever back heel and really had nothing at all to work with…

    I never expected us to win… But I also never expected that capitulation…

    Pardew accepted blame… Good on him.

    Its done, let’s learn and move on… Fortunately other results went our way. Apart from goal difference. We didn’t lose too much.

      (Quote)

  20. A quality leftback would be better, Santon is mostly right footed so moving him to rightback would make sense.

      (Quote)

  21. Toonsy-well that story has cheered me up a bit :mrgreen:

    Still pretty deflated, its not even anger, I’m probably not as angry as I thought i’d be. Fulham hurt way more. Just hope fatty was paying attention and will keep investing.

      (Quote)

  22. Poor all round performance and Spuds were on fire – would have humped a lot of teams yesterday. We certainly missed Tiote and Cabaye (and both Taylor’s). Pardew held his hand up and said he should shoulder some of the blame. We are still 6th and 1 point off a CL place (not that I think we will get one) and have Tiote and Cabaye back and Raylor possibly.

    Planning well under way for the summer and looks like Hoilett is on the list:
    http://www.sundaysun.co.uk/sport/newcastle-united/2012/02/12/mike-ashley-embarks-on-next-nufc-phase-79310-30312444/

      (Quote)

  23. Having watched the high (?) lights again this morning, I dont think Krul is to blame for any of the 5 goals. His defenders let him down BIG style. 👿

      (Quote)

  24. Well, there’s a few of us on here who got slated for criticising the regime for not buying a CB.

    I described it as another Ashley gamble.

    Yesterday showed I was right.

    We were all over the shop at the back and none of the defence came out with any credit.

    I’m still waiting to see the new Maldini live up to many people’s billing.

    It wasn’t just the defence. Not one player on the pitch comes out with any credit.

    We have looked poor since the Man Utd game. Losing games to lesser sides and scraping the odd win by disjointed performances.

    We seem to be clinging onto our top 6 position down to the terrible form of others around us.

    I fear a long hard run in basing it on our recent performances.

      (Quote)

  25. Spurs fan here, we didn’t play that well today, 3 early (lukyish) goals and game over. Newcastle and Spurs for top 4. My dream

      (Quote)

  26. You guys had a lot of injuries yesterday, and Spurs looked capable of beating anyone. Don’t forget, we started the season with 3-0 and 5-1 losses to the Mancs, and look at us now. You just have to build on this loss. I still expect to see the barcodes in the top 6 at the end of the season 😀

      (Quote)

  27. Good point made Toonsy about not placing all the blame on the manager.

    It was admirable of Pardew to take the full blame on his shoulders as he explained in the post match interview . However the players have to take a major part of it. They were ran ragged from start to finish.

      (Quote)

  28. Can I just say as well…where was Santon for the first two goals, and the build up for third I believe-all came down our LEFT side. Simmo would be completely destroyed for not being there. Anyway he had a rubbish game anyway, but so did the whole team, but some people keep putting Colo on an untouchable plate…he was gash as well lads!

      (Quote)

  29. Newkie,
    Simmo wasn’t there either, and Obertan saw the open man and just ignored him leaving him unmarked…
    It was all round shocking shocking defending.

      (Quote)

  30. What is it with all this cool Spuds fans!?

    This has been going on for months! On Ed’s blog were all wankers now they are sympathetic, encouraging and a really good bunch!

    I find myself seeing the Spuds as title outsiders and hoping they pull it off… 😀 What’s wrong with me 😕

      (Quote)

  31. Gunner’s Ramsey is a curse! May 1st, Arsenal 1:0 Man Utd, Ramsey scored, Bin Laden died the next day; Oct 5th, Arsenal 1:2 Spurs, Ramsey scored, Steve Jobs died the next day; Oct 19th, Arsenal 1:0 Marseille, Ramsey scored, Gaddafi died the next day.Ramsey said ‘coming soon’ on twitter, Kim Jong-il died the next day.Ramsey scored in a 2:1 win over Sunderland last night, today, Whitney Houston passed away.

    😯 😯

      (Quote)

  32. Some humble Spurs fans getting on here today. Refreshing to hear fans from other clubs not being boorish.

      (Quote)

  33. Ha Ha JJ @39.
    its funny but I kinda feel the same way.
    I actually think I would love it if they beat both mancs to the title.
    If they carry on playing like they did against us they will easy do it.
    Howay the villains. :mrgreen:

      (Quote)

  34. TP 😯 I have to agree with you, I said that we needed a Commanding CB in, and for me yesterday highlighted that.
    Without doubt Colo is a top class CB but he is not a leader or a commader and the defence was all over the show, and I put that down to no leader that is there to shout and bawl when needed to keep the defence doing what they are supposed to be doing.
    The MF to me isnt that bad because although I thought Guthrie wasn’t that bad, we know we have Cabaye and Tiote back for the next game and hopefully the rest of the season. But we have to cope with the same defence thats what boiled my ****.

      (Quote)

  35. I suggested this week that Newcastle being where they are wasn’t down to luck but down to working hard and winning ugly.
    Having watched the game yesterday, I would suggest that Spurs are where they are because they work harder and some really attractive football.
    Pardew blamed himself for playing too many offensive players, why is very admirable but to be honest, from the players at our dispose yesterday I really don’t think there was a formation or 11 players we could have put out there that would have stopped Spurs.

    Our defence were really shown up yesterday and I don’t think I was down to 1 individual, but it certainly showed that it’s an area for improvement in the summer.

    One thing that did dawn on me yesterday is how little that Spurs time cost 😯
    Other than perhaps Modric, there really wasn’t an expensive player in that team or squad really. Yes, I know that their best player yesterday belongs to Man City and Saha is still an Everton player.
    But the point I’m trying to make is that, you don’t have to go and and spend a fortune to get it right … why is just as well, because we won’t be.

    Top 4? Not this year, 5th still isn’t a ridiculous possibility with the players we have coming back.
    Let’s hope that this just refocuses the players and doesn’t have a detrimental effect.

      (Quote)

  36. With all due respect, it’s easy to be “cool” and “humble”, when you have just thrashed a team 5-0.

    Troy – Our disjointed performances coincide with Tiote’s departure. He is massive to us. He calms us down when in possession, and sets the aggressive tone when we don’t have the ball.

    Every time we got the ball yesterday, we hoofed it long. With Tiote & Cabaye back we will be much calmer in possession.

      (Quote)

  37. @BD

    Willo is not up to standard IMO.

    I’m not convinced Santons up to scratch certainly a shadow of Enrique and Simpson is poor defensively.

    There’s big cracks starting to show and it’s only the poor performances of others around us that the plaster is falling off the wall. 😯

      (Quote)

  38. JJ-Well in the first instance Simmo got sucked into the box because Colo was out on the left originally covering for Santon. And Gabby left Ekotto unmarked and helped himself to an easy goal. When you let it stupid ones like that you’ll never beat a top team.

    Agree with you though, shocking all round, Tiote can’t get back soon enough!

      (Quote)

  39. Troy I agree on both points
    1 its good that the spurs fans are genuine supporters and not some of the Muppets we get on here gloating after a defeat.
    2 I Think Pards has some blame to carry, but shouldn’t carry the blame for the players not turning up.

      (Quote)

  40. @the Kid

    There’s no doubt that we miss Tiote and Cabaye.
    That pretty evident watching the team when theyve been missing.

    I just find it worrying that we lack serious quality in depth. Our wingers are poor and I wasn’t impressed with Fergie when he came in.

      (Quote)

  41. i have to say out of the 25 years ive watched newcastle play its easily the poorest ive ever seen them!! i cant remember seein 3 passes put together! people keep saying if we got the pen it would of been a game changer? no it would of been 5-1! cant understand why benny isnt cumn on either! im not going to moan about the game tho as we are still 6th in the league with cab and tiote to come back ( which will make it massive difference) so lets stick together beat wolves and the scum then we are flying again’!! hwtl

      (Quote)

  42. The Kid-aye, undoubtedly.
    Seemed strange that he was so lazy, when no offense but all he’s offered this season is work ethic. If he’s going to drop that then I’d rather just carry Ben Arfa for the whole match, least he might actually score.

    Maybe gabby is tired of the booers and has given up.

      (Quote)

  43. It wasnt an unfavourable weekend in terms of results but was a severe reality check,

    We cannot contain pace…. and we are starting to pay for it against the good teams.

    I think the arrival of cabaye and tiote will see HBA reintroduced as those two in midfield are vital in our possession football that pardew craves

      (Quote)

  44. Troy

    We don’t have quality depth and most fans would agree on that. Especially in defence.

    Saying that, we have coped relatively well with a number of key absentees. Yesterday we had four first team players missing in Tiote, Cabaye, S.Taylor and Marveaux(Who is easily our best winger).

      (Quote)

  45. Troy did you not see Enrique yesterday?
    Valencia owned him all match.
    Sometimes it is possible for even the best players to be out played by another.
    Dont believe you are setting about destroying Santon now.
    Have you given up on Cabaye like.
    He’s still only 20 ffs
    You’re unbelievable sometimes.
    You must be soo pleased with yesterdays result, as you have been PREDICTING our downfall for yrs. 👿

      (Quote)

  46. I could only see a breakthru coming from a bit of individuality as there was no team work going on.
    That’s why I was surprised he didn’t try Barfa.

    He will defo being be spitting his dummy out shortly.

      (Quote)

  47. Yesterday was not the time for Ben Arfa. Spurs were playing a high pressure game and Ben Arfa is always non-existent against teams who take such an approach.

      (Quote)

  48. If we limp home for the rest of the season we will finish seventh. Play well and sixth is likely continue to play above expectations and fifth even fourth is possible.
    For next season we need a centre half not a back up but an equal of if not better than Tayls and Colo. Also a full back.
    In midfield we need to retain Tiote and Cabbaye and add more quality. Guthrie has performed above expectation and is a good deputy for a two or three game spell but not a player for a 30 odd game season. The lad will want to play more regular than we can offer so a parting may be on the horizon

      (Quote)

  49. Troy I agree again that Willo is not up to standard, I like Willo but he is a player that would be ok for 1or2 games but is not longterm.
    Simpson is the same, as for Santon I have seen glimpses of a real good player.
    But I don’t know if you’ll agree Colo is not a leader, and finds it easier to try to do the others work rather than bawl at them and tell them what to do. With Saylor we had a leader that was prepared to tell the others (Simmo)to pull their finger out. We have him out for a long long time and should have had a replacement in.

      (Quote)

  50. oh and now you have a go at young Fergie.
    coming on at 4-0 down for your first game for months. What did you expect to see.

      (Quote)

  51. @BB

    Not at all. I can just see as clear as day that Santon is not a patch on Enrique.

    I’m not trying to destroy anyone. What do you want me to do? Lie?

    I always come on after the match and say it how I see it. I’ve frequently praised the team over the season.
    Why would I want them to fail? I’m a season ticket holder. I want to travel Europe following them.

    I’ve been getting increasingly alarmed by the poorer performances of late. As I’ve expressed on numerous occasions, not getting a CB in January was a gamble and could prove crucial whether we qualify for Europe or not.

      (Quote)

  52. The Kid Marv is a 1 st 11 ? How many games has he played for us ? As for not playing Benny because he is non existant well there was a few other player never turned up.
    Yeah Tiote is a big big miss but I don’t think he can solve the problem of the defence, he can help them out but wont solve it.

      (Quote)

  53. What’s really worrying is we can now see how bad it gets without first choice defensive lineup and first choice midfield line up. That said what happens if we lose Tiote, Cabaye or Colo or Krul come the next season wether through sale or injury. We need to have really good backup or replacements if sold or it will surely be a disaster next season. It’s vital we hang on to our top players and bring in more quality for security, the thing is how many players is mike prepared to buy come summer.

      (Quote)

  54. I think Santon is performing alot better than Enrique did in his first season on Tyneside.
    You have no patience with any of our new signings.
    You must be so disappointed that Demba Ba has performed so well
    You cant wait to get your claws into him. And inform us all what a gamble it was to sign him.

      (Quote)

  55. @BD

    I agree about Colo. he doesn’t come across as a vocal leader and for me that’s what a captain needs to be.

    I know some managers make players captain who aren’t vocal but lead by example. I never understand that policy.
    A leader needs to ******* those who aren’t trying and encourage those without confidence.

    @BB
    I’ve never been impressed by Fergie. He works hard but creates little. I’m not just basing that on yesterday’s fleeting appearance.

      (Quote)

  56. It’s all doom & gloom today…the players just aren’t good enough anymore, the same players that got us to fifth 🙄

      (Quote)

  57. @Troy yeah fair play Santon was gash yesterday but to say he not a patch on Enrique is just daft, he’s 20 years old and played a handful of games, if you were in charge no young players would seemingly get through to the first team if you are expecting them to shine straight away. Lukaku isn’t a patch on Drogba yet, maybe Chelsea should just get rid. You talk nonsense.

    Did anyone else think Pardew’s “we fielded too many offensive players” was a dig at Mike Ashley for not reinforcing our defence with players, as it wasn’t like the team had much choice behind it, defensively the team picked itself and there were no other alternatives on the bench.

      (Quote)

  58. Yesterday, I don’t think it’s all Pardew fault that we loose 5-0, Tottenham are just better than us and the way the game start with 2 goals concede strengthen this difference.
    But in this game we just remark our average players, against a team which play quickly with lot of passes, counter attack , Simmo, Willo are really too many times completely out of position. Perch was inexistent, Obertan too and Jonas to.
    When you cannot make 2 passes in a row, the opponent is very confident and just put pressure on you.
    You know, I am a big fan of Ben Arfa, you still think there is no issue between him and Pardew? Beacause imagine you in place of Ben Arfa, you are a french International, you have play CL, win 4-5 time the title in France, he played against Bolton he scored, against QPR he was one of the best, against Fulham he scored and assist, not a good match against BRighton and Blackburn and directly dropped, and even Shane Ferguson comes before him as a sub. Do you think thats correct and honnest from Pardew? For me I don’t know what’s happened in the training ground, but I don’t care about that, I care about the game and in terms of stats I think he is the second after Demba ba in terms of points/minutes played.

      (Quote)

  59. On Simpson, he is getting worse game by game, what is he actually good at to warrant a regular starting place ? somebody please enlighten me as he doesnt mark the man or space, cannot head the ball, surrenders possession to easily and is generally twatfull.

      (Quote)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *