Tottenham Hotspur suffered a second straight defeat in the new Premier League season, losing 2-0 at home to Newcastle United. The hosts were in the ascendancy but were stunned just past the hour mark when Anthony Elanga scored with a scuffed effort that went in off the post. The home side quickly found themselves two down after Yoane Wissa hooked home from Nick Woltemade's knockdown.
Defensive struggles and midfield issues
Antonin Kinsky was rated 6, undone by two unconventional finishes, neither of which he could do much about. Archie Gray also earned a 6, having to be replaced once the hosts started chasing the game, but he was solid up to that point, helping Pedro Porro double up down the right flank. No Spurs player made more sprints than Gray.
Jan Paul van Hecke, rated 6, saw his relationship with Micky Van de Ven need work, with the pair getting in each other's way at times. He was much improved in the air, though, and nearly broke the deadlock with a header from a corner. Van de Ven, also rated 6, showed signs of rustiness early on in his first start of the season, but grew into the game, making an excellent clearance to deny Wissa in the first half.
Andy Robertson, rated 6, was an attacking threat throughout, with only Mathys Tel taking more touches in the opposition box than him in the first half. His good work was undone, though, when he let Amar Dedic break in behind to set up Elanga.
Midfield ratings and attacking debut
Mateus Fernandes earned a 7 for moments of quality, with his quick passes through the lines opening up space for Spurs to attack. Sandro Tonali, however, was rated 4, anonymous for large parts as he was heckled intensely by the away fans. He had started to grow into the game until he let Elanga spin past him and fire home the opening goal.
Rodrigo Bentancur, rated 6, had some rash moments early on but soon found his feet, harrying the visiting midfield and showing composure to open up the play with neat passes. Pedro Porro, rated 7, thrived in an unconventional right-wing role, comfortable collecting the ball and working his way into shooting positions, though he was guilty of not making the most of some promising positions.
Omar Marmoush, rated 6, made a promising debut from the Egyptian, who was at the heart of a generally positive attacking display from De Zerbi's side. His quick feet created openings, but he struggled to work many shooting opportunities of his own. Mathys Tel, also rated 6, saw his last action balloon a free-kick miles over the bar, but before that he had been a livewire, though his end product still needs work.
Substitutes and unused players
Among the substitutes, Destiny Udogie, rated 5, nearly set up Solanke for a late consolation. Mohammed Kudus, rated 5, made his long-awaited return from injury but could not provide the spark to get his side back into the game. Mikey Moore, rated 5, was left on the bench as Porro started on the right wing, with it clear that De Zerbi does not quite trust the youngster in the Premier League. Dominic Solanke, rated 5, nearly turned in Udogie's cross but it would have mattered little in the end.
Unused substitutes were Dubravka, Senesi, Gallagher, Udogie, Bergvall, and Davies.
