Nervous night: Harry Kane winner edges Spurs past Newcastle in vital end of season clash

Tottenham’s dream of bringing Champions League football to their new stadium next season has been achieved after a second-half Harry Kane strike sealed the three points for Spurs against Newcastle in a nervous night at Wembley.

First Half
Spurs got off to a good start, piling on the pressure right from the first whistle. Pochettino gave Victor Wanyama and Moussa Sissoko the nod to start in the middle of the park with both having a lot to prove.

Christian Eriksen was the first to test Newcastle’s goal, with a smart freekick which was just tipped over. However, it was becoming more apparent that Newcastle were going to be dangerous on the counter-attack with the pacey duo of Kenedy and Perez causing trouble for Tottenham’s back four.

Jonjo Shelvey rattled the post for Newcastle from a free kick just outside the penalty area after some very clumsy defending from Jan Vertoghen, Lloris was well and truly beaten; a lucky escape for Spurs.

Nerves were undoubtedly starting to show by the midpoint of the first half, Newcastle looked more than comfortable soaking up whatever Spurs had to throw at them. The magnitude of the game for Pochettino’s men was starting to show; you could hear the tension and anxiety around the Wembley Stadium.

Tottenham were limping towards the finishing line, an abysmal first half from the Lillywhites ended with both sides heading into the break at 0-0.

Second Half
Both sides made no changes at the interval and the half began much like the first ended with Newcastle on top.

Harry Kane opened the scoring against the run of play with a typically finessed finish; a massive goal for Spurs and spirits around Wembley had suddenly lifted.

Kane’s goal provided some much-needed positivity around the stadium and Spurs were starting to show glimpses of the team who had beaten Champions League finalists Real Madrid earlier in the season.

Despite the one goal cushion, Newcastle were still causing Tottenham trouble at the back, and if it wasn’t for a mishit Perez shot, they could’ve been right back in the game.

Newcastle’s lack of composure in front of goal was starting to show, however, the danger was still there for them to grab an equaliser heading into the last 10 minutes.

However, Tottenham managed to see out the 1-0 win, with Harry Kane’s second-half strike the deciding factor between the sides.

Next: 4 strikers Tottenham should consider signing to partner Harry Kane

Summary
In an extremely lacklustre performance from Pochettino’s men, Spurs were lucky to come away with the three points, however, at the end of the day they did and this is what mattered in tonight’s game.

Spurs now control their destiny and head into Sundays final Premier League fixture against Leicester sitting third in the table with Champions League qualification safe and sealed.