Newcastle United secured a 2-0 Premier League victory over Tottenham Hotspur in London, with debutant Nico Gonzalez scoring once and assisting another, while former Magpie Sandro Tonali endured a hostile reception from the away fans.
Gonzalez, a Spain Under-21 international, was the focus of the Toon Army's affection, with chants of his name ringing out after he opened the scoring and helped set up the second. Tonali, who left Newcastle for Tottenham, was subjected to boos and chants of 'one greedy b------' and 'you should have stayed at a big club' throughout the match.
Gonzalez shines on debut
Gonzalez's first touches almost produced an opening goal, as his 50-yard pass found Amar Dedic, whose cross led to Anthony Elanga's effort being deflected for a corner in the opening minute. Micky van de Ven was booked for a rash challenge on Yoane Wissa, and Harvey Barnes fired over after a cross from Dedic.
Joe Willock drew cheers from the away end with a heavy challenge on Tonali in the 11th minute, with referee Peter Bankes keeping his card in his pocket. Gonzalez was then booked for a foul on Archie Gray, much to the disbelief of the away fans. Tottenham's first chance came when Mathys Tel curled an effort at goal, but Lukas Hornicek made a fine save.
Goalless first half
Spurs had further sights of goal, with Pedro Porro firing just over, and Omar Marmoush missing a sitter at the back post on 33 minutes. Hornicek denied Jan Paul van Hecke from a corner as Newcastle survived. The teams went in level at half-time, with Newcastle failing to register a shot on target in the opening 45 minutes.
Early in the second half, Malick Thiaw's challenge on Marmoush drew penalty appeals from Tottenham, but VAR was not interested. Barnes set up Hall, who blazed high and wide, and Sven Botman's 25-yard effort was deflected for a corner.
Gonzalez breaks the deadlock
Just past the hour mark, Gonzalez lifted a 40-yard pass to pick out Dedic, who nodded into Elanga's path. Elanga twisted into the box and fired off the post, with the ball trickling past Antonin Kinsky for the opening goal. The left-footed shot, his second in as many Premier League games, sent the 3,083 Newcastle fans into raptures behind the goal, who erupted into a chant of 'Sandro, Sandro what's the score?'
Jaissle made two changes with 18 minutes to go, bringing on Nick Woltemade and Sean Steur for Gonzalez and Willock. A minute later, Wissa doubled the lead with an acrobatic kick after Woltemade flicked down Hall's corner. Spurs offered late pressure, but Tel's comical free-kick summed up their failure to score.
The win put Jaissle in touching distance of his first Premier League victory, and it was comfortably enough to beat Tonali, who was substituted late in the game to more mocking from the away fans. Referee: Peter Bankes (Merseyside). Attendance: 61,025.
