Jamie Carragher praised Newcastle United following their 2-0 victory at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, saying the performance showed a different level to their opening-day draw with Liverpool.
Matthias Jaissle secured his first competitive win since replacing Eddie Howe, with goals from Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa. The result gives Newcastle four points from their first three matches after being pegged back twice by Liverpool at St James' Park six days earlier.
Carragher's verdict on Newcastle's display
Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher admitted his first impressions of Jaissle's side may have been shaped by the tributes to the late Kevin Keegan and the hostile reception for Alexander Isak in the season opener.
“The thing that has really impressed me today with Newcastle is how they've played,” he said. “A lot was made of how they did last week [against Liverpool], but I was coming into this game thinking it'd be a tough game for them. Last week, I felt they were living off the emotion of the occasion with the tributes to Kevin Keegan, Alexander Isak was coming back, they crowd were against him.
“They had been decimated [over the summer] and it was almost an 'us against the world' kind of feeling. They played on the counter, they didn't have too much of the ball and sometimes it can be easy to play in games like that with that sort of performance.”
Improved performance with the ball
Carragher noted that Newcastle were more proactive in possession in North London, creating chances and executing a clear game plan.
“But they weren't in possession a lot and didn't create a lot. The two goals were on the counter and great from their point of view - but today has been a performance. They have been on the ball, they've had ideas, there has been a game plan with the ball. You've seen the movements they've made, getting in behind Spurs' full-backs, really impressive.”
