Tottenham suffered a heavy setback in their bid to recover from last season's relegation-threatened campaign, losing 2-0 at home to Newcastle in their first home game of the year. Summer signings Omar Marmoush, Sandro Tonali, Matheus Fernandes, Andy Robertson and Jan Paul van Hecke all started, but Spurs were stunned by Matthias Jaissle's stubborn side. Goals from Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa, two players who endured difficult years but appear revitalised under the new head coach, sealed the defeat. On both occasions, the Spurs defending was suspect, and they now sit at the bottom of the table without a point from their opening two matches.
Goalkeeper and Defence Ratings
Antonin Kinsky was rated 5, with little he could have done about either goal, though there was a lack of presence for Newcastle's second, as the ball was allowed to drop in the box from a corner and Wissa snatched at the chance.
Archie Gray, rated 6, again filled in at right-back and was predictably taken off when Roberto De Zerbi made his first set of substitutes, having had a difficult day against Harvey Barnes. Jan Paul van Hecke, rated 5, had a tale of two halves: his passing broke the lines well in the first half, but his defensive frailties were exposed again, and he could not get close enough to Wissa for the second goal. Micky van de Ven, rated 5, was booked after two minutes and spent the rest of the match worrying about picking up a second, with his partnership with Van Hecke looking unpromising. Andy Robertson, rated 6, was probably Spurs' most promising attacking player in the first half but struggled to contain Elanga's pace and was taken off for Destiny Udogie in the second half.
Midfield and Attack Ratings
Rodrigo Bentancur, rated 7, was Spurs' best performer in a midfield featuring two big-money additions, controlling the game well and carrying on occasion. Sandro Tonali, rated 5, was booed at the start and waved off by gleeful Newcastle fans when substituted, having played Wissa onside for the second goal. Matheus Fernandes, rated 5, was pushed further forward but proved ineffective; his set-piece delivery offered encouragement, but he needs to do much more to justify his price tag. He and Tonali did not look like a pair of midfielders who cost £185 million in total.
Pedro Porro, rated 7, could have put Spurs ahead in the first half if not for a stellar Lewis Hall block, and was his team's best performer even while out of position. Omar Marmoush, rated 6, showed a few lively sparks as the Manchester City loanee grew into the game, delighting fans with his electric pace and readiness to press high. Mathys Tel, rated 4, was summed up by a free-kick that went well over the bar, only for that to be his last action before being hooked off, struggling to beat a man, provide a goal threat, or create from deeper.
