Tottenham Embarrassed by 10-man Newcastle; Finish Third

Mauricio Pochettino downplayed the importance of finishing above Arsenal, which could have been a reason why Tottenham Hotspur had an abysmal performance today against Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

Tottenham needed only one point to secure second place in the Premier League. Instead, they managed one goal while conceding a season-worst and high, five goals, to a Newcastle side who went down to 10 men in the 67th minute.

There are no trophies for finishing second through fourth in the Premier League, except for the fact that those clubs will be granted entry into next season’s Champions League.

With that being said, had Spurs finished above their north London rivals, it would have snapped a 21-year streak of looking up to Arsenal in the league table. Not since the 1994-95 season has Tottenham claimed to be superior to the Gunners in terms of a higher finish.

This year, Arsenal’s inconsistent year (but perhaps one of their worst) was still better than Tottenham’s best year in the end. Which, really, makes no sense.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – MAY 15: Mauricio Pochettino Manager of Tottenham Hotspur looks on after Newcastle’s fifth goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur at St James’ Park on May 15, 2016 in Newcastle, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) /

So much had gone wrong for Tottenham during this game that it would best be described as a tireless rant if it was all typed up. In order to prevent that from happening let’s critique this performance as best as possible.

First, the lineup. The only major change was Ben Davies starting ahead of Danny Rose. For the time being, there is no reason why this move was made, which could be discussed in Mauricio Pochettino’s press conference.

After watching the game, it was obvious Davies couldn’t provide an offensive spark that Rose brings to the team. Nor could he track back and defend just as well.

Next, Spurs looked lackadaisical for the entire first half.

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The only explanation for this down-right atrocious showing is that the club had packed it in after being officially eliminated from the Premier League title race after drawing level with Chelsea 13 days ago.

Or, Spurs could go further than that after losing to West Ham United.

Either way, the first half was bad for Tottenham. However it was the second half were the Lilywhites looked dreadful.

Érik Lamela’s goal in the 60th minute helped spark a resurging Spurs side who had pulled one back. When Aleksandar Mitrović was shown a red card in the 67th minute for a potential leg breaking tackle on Kyle Walker, the momentum should have shifted into Tottenham’s favor.

Except, that it didn’t. Instead Mitrović’s red card only fueled Newcastle to play even better by scoring three goals in a span of 19 minutes. One which was a botched penalty after Moussa Sissoko dove after being bumped in the back by Jan Vertonghen and avoiding Christian Eriksen’s leg sweep.

Next: Matchday: Newcastle 5-1 Tottenham

Despite having one of their better seasons, Tottenham found a way — somehow — to undo almost everything right they had done in one game. A 5-1 drubbing to an already relegated side who had no real reason to beat the second-best club this season, other than maintaining their pride.

The only consolation prize that Spurs got following a most shocking defeat, is that Mauricio Pochettino’s side finished in the top three, secured Champions League football and Harry Kane managed to win the Golden Boot award over Jamie Vardy and Sergio Agüero.