Newcastle strengthened their European hopes with another captivating win over Spurs, where Eddie Howe got it spot on and his players delivered in an electric display at St James’ Park.
A quickfire double from Isak and Anthony Gordon around the half hour mark sent the Toon 2-0 up. Isak completed his brace five minutes into the second half and Schar added a cherry on top three minutes from full time.
The result comes amid yet more injury troubles on Tyneside with Eddie Howe forced to field a makeshift defence including Murphy at right back and Krafth at centre half, but both did incredibly well against a Spurs side who’ve often scored goals for fun this season.
After the game began with a cup-tie end-to-end feeling and at a frantic pace, Newcastle grew in confidence and were ahead after 30 minutes. Bruno, under pressure, found a fantastic ball to Gordon who beat his defender and slipped in Isak.
Talking of slipping, that’s exactly what van de Ven did, as Isak brought the ball round him, leaving him on the floor. Isak smashed it past the Spurs keeper for the lead and his 20th of the season in all comps.
Two minutes later, we were ahead again. And van de Ven was on his backside again. This time Gordon got on the end of a poor looped back pass from Pedro Porro, rounding the Dutch centre half to pick his spot in the back of the net.
Newcastle attacked the second half with the intensity that saw us grab our first half double. The third, and Isak’s second, came five minutes after the break. Another superb ball from Bruno beat Spurs’ very high line and Isak, who started his run from his own half, was clear through to score his brace.
Spurs never really looked like scoring and squandered a handful of chances through Timo Werner. The odd moment aside, we kept them at bay superbly, with Howe adopting a man-to-man marking system that saw Schar stifle Son, Longstaff stick to Maddison and Burn to Johnson, with Barnes and Anderson also doing superbly to thwart Porro down their right.
The Toon punished Spurs again with a corner whipped to the far corner of the six-yard-box by Gordon. Schar rose to meet it and thumped the ball home with his head. It was 4-0 and we had hammered Spurs at home again. Our set pieces caused Spurs problems all afternoon.
It felt again like the resurgence of the Newcastle of last season. We were defensively solid and resolute. Our pressing was intense and we took the game to Spurs especially in the opening moments of the second half.
Bruno was at his best, and the front three of Barnes, Isak and Gordon was a sight to behold. Isak is up to 17 goals in the league this season and, whisper it quietly, is hot on Haaland’s heels for the golden boot
Anderson was also outstanding and helped transform our midfield once again. He adds the sort of energy, intensity and aggression that we’ve so often missed in Joelinton’s absence. His link up with Barnes was superb and Gordon was electric once again. A goal, two assists, relentless movement, so much hard work and some brilliant deliveries from set pieces, too.
The win means we move up to sixth, above West Ham and Manchester United who both play later than us. The Red Devils play in the later kick off, taking on Howe’s former club Bournemouth at the Vitality.
It sets us up with the best chance to capitalise on our good form and make a big push for European qualification with a six games to play.
Next up, a trip to Selhurst Park to face Palace in two weeks time, a journey we undertake with wind in our sails.
STARTING XI: Dubravka – Murphy, Schar, Burn, Krafth – Longstaff, Bruno, Anderson – Gordon, Isak, Barnes.
The pundits said as well as NUFC have been today you have to acknowledge Spurs have been off – NO!!
Today, with a weakened team Howe tactically outplayed Big Ange.
He set the team up to be so defensively solid despite a patched up back 4. He had the midfield fill the areas where Spurs hurt you with Maddison & the inverted full backs & he snuffed it out – it was brilliant by Howe & executing perfectly by the players.
Our front 3 are as good as most in the league imo & Anderson done a great job getting up & supporting them.
We were brilliant today but huge credit to Howe – tactically nailed it today 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Sharpy17(Quote)
Also I’m man enough to admit when the cameras showed our deaf supporters celebrating & the young lad holding his mams (I assume) face as they screamed at each other – I might have had a tear in my eye.
Trophies are nice – but that’s why I love football & that’s why I love this club – outstanding by Sela & everyone involved in getting it done 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Sharpy17(Quote)
Agree mate, that was the highlight for me, such a brilliant thing to do by Sela and the club. The sheer joy on the faces of those fans was lovely to witness.
kimtoon(Quote)
That was a pretty much full strength Spurs that we beat today. We need to keep our best players if at all possible. The front 3 today amazing👍
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim By best players do you include the eleven starters today? Their confidence must be sky high. Our injured ‘stars’ may have to fight for a place when they come back LOL.
I should imagine the ‘feel good factor’ would make a few think before leaving.
nutmag(Quote)
I think Bruno deserves a special mention as well.
There’s a lot of talk about him getting sold and his agent had to come out this week & explain why he was in Paris to squash any rumours – a lot of distraction.
Couple that with his style of play & competitive nature in the middle of the park.
9 games ago he was at risk of a ban if he picked up 1 more yellow & according to Howe he promised he wouldn’t.
Through those 9 games he’s still had a massive influence defensively, creatively & offensively scoring the winner last week – going toe to toe with Paqueta. He has kept his performance level high knowing how important he is – but never crossed that line knowing how costly it may be to lose him.
With all the chat about his future, the last 9 games shows just how committed he is to NUFC.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Was thinking , Bruno, Isak, Gordon mainly Nutmag, we should be building around them not having to sell them.
Thought all players were excellent today.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – it’s an absolute MUST imo.
——————— Pope ———————-
Tino —- ?????? — Botman – ?????
—- ???????— Bruno — Joelinton —-
?????? ———- Isak ———– Gordon
Going forward that’s the team I’d build around.
Don’t get me wrong, Barnes could stake a claim for the forward spot yet – I just haven’t seen enough yet. Likewise Hall at LB.
No disrespect meant to Trippier or Schar & they are brilliant now – but if we are talking ‘building’ the team, they are in the latter years of their career – but will still play a HUGE part for us I have no doubt.
Longstaff has done a job, but I just don’t think he’s good enough for where we want to get to – that’s not to say he could be on the bench or in the squad though.
Burn – I love the fella. I think he has been excellent at CB but he is also in the back end of his career.
Players like Miley and Anderson will absolutely have a place in our squad – but that would be the first teamers I would be building around.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy looking at your four ?????? I think that three of them are good for next season. Schar, Hall and Tonali are all probably starters. So the only to buy is RW.
Yes there are holes in the squad, and Schar will need replacing in time, but we don’t need a massive overhaul of the starting 11 this window.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Will be interesting to see exactly how good Tonali is as we have seen so little of him .
kimtoon(Quote)
Prem – you’re right mate, and I did make the point about Hall & Barnes – I just haven’t seen enough yet to fully commit … but I’m happy with what I’ve seen so far.
In truth I forget all about Tonali – but his suspension means he won’t be in the starting 11 for game 1 of next season & if the PL decide to punish him further then god knows when we can talk about him as being as key to our team as Bruno, Isak or Gordon – if he reaches those heights at all.
I make a prediction now – I see Tonali seeing out his ban with us then saying he’s homesick & wants a move back to Italy more likely than him repaying our loyalty.
I think Schar has been outstanding again this season – and I think he’s the only player who had played every minute for us until his subbing yesterday.
To think he cost £4m is just amazing really – what a return he’s given us.
As I said I meant no disrespect to him or Trippier – both would still be in our squad next season – and if it’s Schar that’s still in the starting 11 game 1 I’d be fine with that.
I agree no major overhaul needed & our approach in transfer windows so far have been spot on.
But this summer in particular may need 6 or 7 when you consider Karius & Dubravka look likely to leave – we’ll certainly need 1 quality keeper in as cover/competition to Pope.
Thereafter I’d be letting Ritchie & Dummett go & id sell Wilson, Miggy & Fraser.
There’s question marks over Dubs so maybe not and if we decide to bring in Minteh then there’s 1 less required – I’d say at least 5 in, but that doesn’t have to be mega money spent if we are smart & organised.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Just musing
6 free agents in the summer worth a look
GK Meret – Napoli
RCB Tosin – Fulham
LCK Kelly – Bournemouth
LB Miranda – R Betis
DM Gueye – Marseille
CM Rabiot – Juve
and 3 entering the last year of their contract
GK Agirrexabala – A Bilboa
CF David – Lille
CF En-Nesyri – Seville
There’s cheap for you
PremAndUp(Quote)
Prem – the top 3 on that list should definitely be players we are making attempts on.
I’d also go for David from the list below.
I’d imagine the agent fees, signing on fees and wages would still be plenty high enough.
Just a CM and RWF needed.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Prem do you play football manager by any chance haha, a hope tonali stays and is loyal to us for standing by him, av wanted us to by better starters than we have barnes deserves a chance after what av seen past few weeks. Hall too. Will pope be same again. Howe and co have job on hands in summer
Coutts86(Quote)
If tonali is committed sharpy do we really need cm. Joelinton tonali bruno willock anderson miley thats with longy being sold
Coutts86(Quote)
Coutts – it’s a fair point mate. It’s the right side I’m think for mainly mate – Joelinton, Willock and Anderson are left sided.
Longstaff plays as often because he gives balance coz he plays that right side & that’s the upgrade I’d be looking for mate.
Miley has been brilliant, but I’d probably look to loan him out next season so get as much first team football for his development.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Ya no who ad hate us to buy. Hojberg from spurs
Coutts86(Quote)
Great that results over the weekend went our way after our brilliant win.
Got me thinking – 6th would be an unbelievable finish with all our injuries & should be good for European football … BUT do we want it?!.
Would it be better to focus solely on the PL – would that give us a better chance of CL the season after.
My thinking being that if we get 6th, Man Utd would have finished below us & have no European football – but will make big improvements under Radcliffe.
Chelsea will go again and sign better players.
WH and Brighton won’t have European football next season either.
Would it be better to finish 7th or 8th & not having that destination?!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Coutts – go again mate?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Oh are you calling me out for suggesting Hojberg when he plays central rather than right side?.
If so, my thinking with that would be Joelinton, Willock LCM – Anderson could be cover for LCM/LWF.
Hojberg would play central with Tonali to come in when his suspension is up.
Getting Hojberg would free Bruno up to play RCM and move further forward. So my addition would cover there – or we keep Longstaff for that.
Sharpy17(Quote)
A wasnt calling you out pal, just remember you mentioning him. A was at the match on Saturday, hes not that good, ad rather keep longstaff, miley will probably be loaned out ya right, willock can play lcm and rcm am sure. A just cant see us wasting money on a cm. Also anderson keep goin god nos how good he can be
Coutts86(Quote)
Coutts – I didn’t mean calling me out in a confrontational way mate – maybe the wrong wording on my part. It was fair to ask 👍🏼. I saw him on Saturday & he made some stinking balls over the top – but that wouldn’t be what I’d be bringing him in for – that would be Schar or Bruno.
Hojberg would be the no. 6 enforcer – break the oppositions attack up, win the ball back & pass it on to the ball players imo. I don’t think Longstaff does that for us mate. He covers a lot of ground for sure, but I never see him muscle anyone off the ball or throw himself into a tackle & sometimes that what we need. I think Tonali could/would be that player when he comes in – but that may be some time if the PL decide to suspend him further.
There are absolutely better midfielders than Hojberg. But I think he would be fairly inexpensive, playing him instead of Longstaff gives our defence better protection & would allow Bruno to play further forward.
I think he’s a really good pro to have in the squad as well.
To be fair to him he wasn’t the only Spurs player to have a stinker on Saturday, but I knew he hadn’t helped my suggestion 😡😂.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Coutts – what’s your thoughts for the summer mate? What would you be doing?
By the way, as much as we are talking CMs – I certainly don’t think it’s a priority position at all.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy used to play years ago, but not for many years. I use TM and various other stats sites.
I agree with your selection and possibly the LB as well
PremAndUp(Quote)
Prem – it wasn’t me that asked buddy 😂 but I’m happy that you agree with me all the same 👍🏼
Sharpy17(Quote)
Big shout out to Newcastle women , 2 back to back promotions . Great stuff 🏆
kimtoon(Quote)
Ad bring in and established LB. If we get european footy ad try grimaldo or theo hernandez. A cb is a must too. The young everton kid branthewait or however ya spell it. Youngish/backup striker, few weeks back a thort we needed a rw. But is howe goin to stick with barnes and bring young minteh back as back up. Sell targett longstaff almiron wilson
Coutts86(Quote)
What a performance eh, great to see, shame we’ve left it too late for a run at the CL but looks like we’ll have a nice finish while those around us are in a mess.
Is Barkley not on a free as well like, seems to be conflicting info, but imagine him in place of longstaff. We should sign him just so he stops bossing games against us!
Newkie(Quote)
Newkie – re Barkley I think it may depend on Luton going down or not mate.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sorrry imo Barkley is not good enough
Icedog(Quote)
Agree Ice, and 30.
Better options out there if we need one
Longstaff has been carrying an injury for months but instead of appreciation and support all he gets is ‘He’s not good enough’
PremAndUp(Quote)
If we are spending money on a midfielder then I’d go for Morgan Gibbs White – he’d maybe cost around £40-50m but I think he could be a very good signing for us for RCM.
If we were spending less I’d go for Hojberg at Spurs who I think could be got for around £10-15m. I like Tommy Doyle as well – a City player on loan at Wolves.
There’s Ndidi from Leicester as well who could be got on a free if we wanted to spend nowt.
Of courses there’s loads of other midfielders out there but those players have PL experience & I think could be a good fit in our squad.
Sharpy17(Quote)
My choice would be Joey Veerman, a progressive No 6 in Bruno’s mould.
As to RCM as well as longstaff we have Miley who is going to be exceptional
However, if we are starting with Big Joe, Bruno and Tonali we are looking at back-ups.
Anderson, Veerman, Miley, Willock and Longstaff
PremAndUp(Quote)
Prem – I appreciate Longstaff, I just don’t think he’s good enough – there’s nothing personal in that because I have nothing but respect & actually really like the lad.
But for as hard as he works & as much ground as he covers – the return just isn’t there.
His offensive stats aren’t good enough – his shot conversion isn’t good enough & as a result his goal return is poor.
His defensive stats aren’t good enough – for as much ground as he covers his blocks, interceptions, tackling stats are poor.
I’d keep him in the squad as I think Miley is still very young & would be best going out on loan to play regularly first team football – which let’s be honest, with less injuries this season, he wouldn’t have got.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Veerman has a brilliant range of passing for our counter attacking game. The games like Spurs at the weekend where we are fine to give up possession and hit on the counter attack – Veerman pinging balls out to Gordon or Barnes or over the top for Isak – that could be one hell of an assist.
Sharpy17(Quote)
PSG & Dortmund in the semi’s.
Whilst there is a what if, sense of might have beens, I’m not sure we could have handled the extra games given our injury list.
What it does show, however, is that we would not be out of place in the semis of the Champions League, and by the time we get the next opportunity, we will be even stronger.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Prem – it’s a nice thought, but I’m not sure.
We proved capable enough in the group stage – the mini league format & missed out only due to the level of opponents, poor officiating & poor game management in that final game.
But I think the 2 leg phase of the CL sets managers apart and why the same elite teams regularly progress through to the last 8 and beyond.
Sharpy17(Quote)
PSG shouldn’t be there.
kimtoon(Quote)
agree 100% mate,lucky sods
icedog(Quote)
I’m really hoping the FA decide to suspend Tonalis suspension having already served a lengthy ban from his Italian betting.
But the fact he was still betting from Aug to Oct when at Newcastle & knowing his ban from Italy was looming tells me either the lad has a real addiction and will bet again, or he has people around him who don’t understand the addiction and aren’t able to offer the right support (that’s not passing the buck or criticising them – it can’t be easy).
Obviously we have to wait to hear if he will be further punished by the FA – but we also have to protect ourselves because this is a lad who regularly bet in Italy knowing he shouldn’t – then continued after his move to England … we HAVE to assume he will again.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy I can’t imagine the powers that be at NUFC are not ‘on to it’ seeing the amount of money we have invested in him. Addictions like his are life time things so its not easy. He will also need all the support we can give him. I am also sure his team mates will be there for him. Its up too him from now.
nutmag(Quote)
Nutmag – it’s not my intention to put the boot in, honestly mate. I hope the PL are fair in their punishment and suspend any ban in light of the one he’s currently serving.
I hope the club support him in every way – and they certainly seem to be. The supporters were brilliant on his last home game & I know will be again on his return.
But I’m in no doubt the lad will battle this for the rest of his life & is bound to fall off the wagon.
I watched an excellent documentary with Paul Merson, and like him or loath him as a pundit – as a fellow man that bloke has suffered with his addictions.
We have to hope for best with Tonali, but plan for the worst.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy Didn’t think that mate. Its just that I have seen it close up. My brother in law ruined his life to the addiction, its as bad as any illness and hard to watch the waste of life.
nutmag(Quote)
So Bruno has bought 4mil house at the toon
Icedog(Quote)
Ice That made me smile my first house in the north east. Brand new, large corner house, cost me £2,400.Wonder if its the same house LOL.
nutmag(Quote)
I may be wrong but my feelings on Bruno & Isak are this.
Bruno loves it at NUFC and will only leave if the club tell him they want to sell him – and is only likely to happen if someone actives his release clause.
With regards the clause I assume clubs only get to speak to Bruno if they offer £100m – and even then it would still be up to Bruno himself as to whether he wants to leave to the club that are showing interest – if not, he can choose to stay at NUFC 🤷🏼♂️.
As for Isak – I more get the feeling that it very much depends on him. At the moment I think he’s happy at the club & if we continue to show ambition & bring in quality players then he will stay.
As he doesn’t have a release clause I think it would take a bid of over £120m at least for us to even consider selling him.
But if a club came in that Isak wanted to go to – I think he & his team could make things difficult.
I feel confident he will still be at SJP next season because things are going good – but I fear if the club does not grow quick enough & we can’t pay wages that will be needed to keep these players, we could be a selling club for a couple of season yet.
Sharpy17(Quote)
**** not having a game this weekend.
kimtoon(Quote)
Kim – yeah it absolutely pants isn’t it.
The only bonus is that we could get players back in time for our next game.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Sharpy, very true, every cloud and allthat.
kimtoon(Quote)
Anyone watching manure Coventry? Simms is a canny player! I hope Coventry can get back into this.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
What a comeback
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Never offside. Shocking decision there. What a surprise 😡😡😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Gilly Toon
April 21, 2024 at 18:13
Never offside. Shocking decision there. What a surprise 😡😡😡
Agree mate
kimtoon(Quote)
As I may have said before the offside rule as it stands is stupid. How can a players toe being over a line be an unfair advantage? Its the rule that is unfair and spoiling the enjoyment of the game for many. The ‘powers that be’ answer apparently next season is to interduce new technology to speed up the decision making. The result of Coventry’s ‘offside is the wrong side won and did not deserve to. Now we are condemned to yet another boring final of top six money spenders.
I’ve been watching Coventry’s Simms all season he is worth looking at. Coventry seem to come up with some special players every season maybe we should be looking at their scouts.
nutmag(Quote)
VAR has not improved at all despite Howard Webb being employed to straighten things out.
The offside rules are ridiculous. Lines are draw so there’s no doubt – but how long do these checks take at times?!?!!!
They are trying to measure against a player moving one way to run on to a pass, against another player moving in the opposite direction to try and play offside – and the timing of both is at times measuring if a toe or forearm gaining an advantage.
The lines they are using are paper thin too – so what kind of advantage is the forward actually stealing.
Meanwhile, while these reviews are taking 5 mins to check from every angle as to find a reason why a goal CANT be give – you have 22 players stood round cooling down. No wonder so many players are suffering with muscles injuries.
Then we switch to Everton v Forest, and 3 very possible penalty shouts – all reviewed by VAR and none given.
Now I’m not for a second going to suggest this was because the VAR was a Luton fan coz that’s just a ridiculous suggestion.
But the first was Ashley Young kicking the lad in the back of the leg, making no contact with the ball – ironically a former toffee won 2 penalties for NUFC just the other week having received a very similar kick. Now I know there has been some debate about the validity of those penalties – but ultimately they WERE given. Yet the decision yesterday was a straight no from VAR without the ref even being invited to look at the monitor.
Without analysing the other 2 – that’s my point. The inconsistency of officiating from one game to the next, and VAR having the final say.
The reason it was brought in is because on field refs can’t be expected to get everything right in such fast paced games – and that’s ok.
But they are still trying to making definitive decisions in the split second – then VAR are instructed to only intervene if it’s a clear & obvious mistake – but what’s clear and obvious?!. To say it’s clear & obvious suggests in a what that they know it’s a mistake but made the decision anyway.
I don’t know the stats on it, but I can’t remember a season where so many managers, coaches & staff on the bench have been booked.
That’s because so many are frustrated with the standard of officiating … and there’s never been so much technology being used & so many cooks.
Howard Webb has managed to make something really broken even more broke!!.
It’s probably clear that this annoys me a bit 😂 but I think it’s ruining our game!!. I watch other sports like tennis, rugby & cricket where this technology is used to improve those sports – and there is far less money in all of them combined.
Sharpy17(Quote)
On Simms – he was on loan at Sunderland. Coventry bought him from Everton to replace Gyokeres who went to Sporting – who WE should have signed!!.
Ironically Everton can’t buy a goal this season & could probably do with Simms themselves – that £7m they got for him will be worth nowt if they go down – and it’s not like it saved them from FFP either.
6 in 6 and 3 assists looks a decent return – but then Adam Armstrong has 20 in 43 with 13 assists. Dwight Gayle was a good championship forward too. I’m not sure how good Simms would be in the PL?!.
That said, I questioned whether Toney & Solanke would do it in the PL & they have proven they can so 🤷🏼♂️.
Sharpy17(Quote)
If you look at the photo with lines drawn, (in the Coventry match), the lines are almost on top of each other, the blue line is on top of the players boot, and the ball has already left the foot of the player making the pass. The law was always.. level is onside. Coventry were clearly robbed to the same extent we were against PSG. Offside should be clear daylight between players. None of this toenail off bullsh.ite. Forest absolutely have a good case for all three decisions. But what will happen, they will get an apology, like we got against PSG, but that does not get the points back!
The whole VAR system is broke. Or I should say, the people using it are … shall we say, not competent to use it. Corruption or incompetence is rife throughout the FA and UEFA.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I feel for Forest & I can kind of understand their extreme response.
They have been unfairly punished by FFP imo and had a points deduction – then get 3 pretty nailed on decisions go against them – not even reviewed for some bizarre reason.
It must feel like the world is against them and as Gilly says, they may get a sorry, they may get a point or 2 given back to them – but the trust is gone.
The only consistency that Webb has brought to VAR is that EVERY club has been on the wrong end of decisions throughout the season – so obviously worse than others.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Just finished watching Anthony Gordon on GNevs overlap
I have to say the more I see & hear from that lad the more impressed I am by him.
I can only assume that the whole drink driving saga when he first arrived was from the pressures of leaving Everton & the nonsense they gave him.
I think you can see how focused & driven he is, but to hear him speak about it is another level – and it sounds like Howe is managing him perfectly just now.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Gordon reveals a lot about his preparation for games – so much so he stops GNev in his tracks.
So to see the Daily Mail go with a headline that Gordon’s reveals his icon was Steven Gerrard growing up says former toffee – pathetic!!
Sharpy17(Quote)