Player Ratings: Isak Dominates as Newcastle Crush Tottenham | OneFootball

Newcastle’s Stellar Performance Secures Commanding Victory Over Tottenham

In an exhilarating Premier League clash at St James’ Park, Newcastle United delivered a masterclass in football, overwhelming Tottenham with a 4-0 scoreline. The victory not only emphasises Newcastle’s European ambitions but also exposes the glaring vulnerabilities in Tottenham’s defence.

Newcastle’s Tactical Prowess Unleashed

From the outset, Newcastle displayed a tactical flexibility that bewildered their opponents. A last-minute switch to a three-man defence facilitated an open, aggressive game, putting Tottenham on the back foot immediately. Despite an early miss by Timo Werner, it was Newcastle’s Alexander Isak who capitalised, turning the game into a personal highlight reel with his clinical finishes.

Isak, paired with Anthony Gordon’s incisive play, dissected the Spurs’ defence. The duo’s rapid succession of goals late in the first half was a testament to their sharpness and the tactical acumen of their manager, Eddie Howe. Howe’s strategy was clear – exploit Tottenham’s defensive disarray, and it worked brilliantly.

Turning Points and Tactical Decisions

As the game unfolded, it was evident that Tottenham struggled to cope with the pace and precision of Newcastle’s attacks. A disastrous back-pass from Pedro Porro led to Gordon doubling Newcastle’s advantage, which visibly deflated the Spurs squad. The second half brought no respite for the visitors, with Isak continuing his onslaught and Fabian Schar adding a fourth with a commanding header.

The match was punctuated by moments of contention, including a potential penalty incident involving Dan Burn and Rodrigo Bentancur. However, any hopes of a Tottenham recovery were swiftly quashed as Newcastle maintained their relentless pressure, underlining the stark contrast in both teams’ performance and mentality.

Player Ratings Breakdown

Newcastle United

Manager: Eddie Howe – 9/10

Tottenham Hotspur (4-2-3-1 Formation)

Manager: Ange Postecoglou – 3/10

Player of the match: Alexander Isak