Newcastle v Tottenham LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Isak and Gordon star in big win

The Independent

·13 April 2024

Newcastle v Tottenham LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Isak and Gordon star in big win

(REUTERS)

Alexander Isak smashed his way through the 20-goal barrier as Newcastle United boosted their European hopes by denting those of Tottenham Hotspur.

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The Magpies’ £63m record signing produced two sumptuous finishes either side of Anthony Gordon’s strike to take his tally for the campaign to 21 before Fabian Schar’s thunderous late header secured a 4-0 win at St James’ Park.

It was their third victory in four Premier League outings and ended fourth-placed Spurs’ three-match unbeaten run, and while it might not have been as spectacular as last season’s 6-1 rout in the corresponding fixture, it was equally emphatic.

Head coach Eddie Howe once again set up his team to suck in the visitors and then hit them on the break, and the plan worked to perfection on an day defender Micky van de Ven in particular will want to forget quickly as he was sat down for both first-half goals.

1713017715Howe speaks to TNTEddie Howe is beaming as he speaks to TNT. “We felt we needed to change to give ourselves the best chance of what we wanted to do. “I thought tactically it worked, it was a really good delivery from the players, they always deserve the praise for the execution. Our concentration levels were really good.”On finishing in the European places, he says: “Who knows, we’ve just got to keep doing our bit which is trying to win every game. “We’re hopefully returning to somewhere near our best and we’ve got to keep heading in that direction.”Chris Wilson13 April 2024 15:15

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isak speaks to TNT

Isak is speaking to Ferdinand, Crouch and Lynsey Hipgrave after his man-of-the-match performance.

“Normally we just press all the time but the game plan was a bit different today. The way the manager set up the team in the game plan was excellent and we executed it in a good way as well.

He praises teammate Guimaraes, saying that “he is excellent in all phases of the pitch”.

On the potential of winning the Golden Boot, he says that “is not really in my mind”.

“I feel I am in good form now, myself and the team too. We just need to keep going in this way and working hard.”

Chris Wilson13 April 2024 15:00

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Postecoglou speaks to TNT

Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou says he “thought Newcastle were really good today”.

“We just didn’t get to any levels that would allow us to get a grip on the game.

“I thought even before the goals we didn’t have a real grip on the game like we usually do. It became a game of transition and we paid the price for that.

Even outside the goals I don’t think our football was anywhere near the level it should be.”

On what went wrong, he says that Spurs will “have time to analyse that, right now [I’m] not really sure”.

On van de Ven’s mistakes, he says “that’s the life of an elite footballer, you’re going to make mistakes”.

“I think all of us as a group have a fair bit to learn from today.”

Chris Wilson13 April 2024 14:51

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Gordon speaks to TNT

Anthony Gordon is first in front of the cameras.

“We knew we couldn’t play our normal way against this team because they are so good with the ball,” he says.

“We changed tactically, went man for man, and the game plan that the manager set us up with was outstanding.

“I think especially here at St James’ with the crowd, if we can score back to back, quite close then it can feel like the stadium is suffocating you. Trust me, I have been here as an away player and it definitely feels like that.

“It came at a vital time and from there I felt like we controlled the game.”

On the race to qualify for Europe, he says that “it’s massive”.

“We’ve had a taste for it this season and we want next year to be the same. With performances like we put in today, that won’t put us far wrong off that.”

Chris Wilson13 April 2024 14:45

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Chris Wilson13 April 2024 14:29