Newcastle United – Tottenham Hotspur: Howe To Use Ange Ball To Your Advantage (4-0)

Both coaches like to keep their teams in a familiar arrangement, but it was a tactical tweak from Eddie Howe that made a dramatic effect on the game. With the pattern of the game set, Newcastle United brutalized Tottenham Hotspur through some familiar routes.

Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker.

Five goals conceded before halftime, a goalkeeper hooked off at the break under a dismal caretaker spell; Spurs last left St James Park with their tails tucked between their legs. But how distant that game seems with the trajectory both teams have made.

Tottenham dominated Newcastle with waved attacks back at home, but Newcastle’s defensive vulnerabilities have remained with plenty of high-scoring games being had. Of course, these high-scoring games have had Eddie Howe’s team scoring too, mostly thanks to Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon. But after a strong first season, Howe has brought more of his Bournemouth vibes to a team with much bigger ambitions. Is he the man that could fulfil those? 

One team that has exceeded their expectations has been Tottenham. Spurs for the top four would have been a hard sell after Harry Kane’s sale and a coach with hardcore principles, very different to those who had managed before him. Nobody would have anticipated the conversation to have changed so much, a year after their dismal showing. 

Two changes . . .