Tottenham again not up for big moment with draw at Newcastle

In what has become a refrain for Tottenham Hotspur this season, the team has a big opportunity and again comes up short of the needed performance. While Tottenham held a lead for most of the match, as has been the case all season, the Spurs failed to hold the lead when it mattered most. With another two dropped points the Lilywhites sit in 5th instead of 4th and likely will be sixth before the weekend is through.

Tottenham not Good Enough

There is no complaining about a phantom handball this time, as Tottenham Hotspur had their opportunities but failed to capitalize. For not the first time this season the Spurs held the lion’s share of possession but really failed to do anything with it. The first half was highlighted by two goals from just four total shots from the club, while Newcastle had 11.

Despite trailing at the half, the sheer volume of opportunities the Magpies had was surely encouraging to the team. Newcastle had as many shots on target – four – as Spurs had total shots and if not for a fine double save from Hugo Lloris, the game could have easily been tied at the half.

In the second half, Tottenham actually held even more possession than in the first half and managed seven shots. However, on only 41% total possession, Newcastle managed another 11 efforts and two were on goal, with one finding the back of the net.

Somehow Tottenham won the stat line in so many places, passes attempted, completed, passing percentage, and take-ons, yet simply did not create enough chances to put Newcastle away. Even without a lot of opportunities, had Harry Kane‘s effort on the break gone inside instead of outside the near post, Spurs would have been up 1-3 and likely would have held on.

Instead, Kane’s shot bounced wide off the bar and less than 1 minute later an Arsenal loanee was putting Newcastle back level. Despite giving up so many attempts, it was really defensive mistakes that led to both goals.

Tottenham shot themselves in the foot

On the first goal, first Japhet Tanganga tried a relatively lazy pass up the line which was deflected backward to Davinson Sanchez. The Columbian defender – who had a true stinker – then managed to only clear the ball right back to the same Newcastle winger. Now with two defenders out of position and a turnover in the defensive third, the Spurs were done.

A couple of simple passes later and even the lunging Joe Rodon could not beat the ball which Joelington easily scored at the far post. It was truly a goal out of nothing, completely from lackadaisical passing from the defense.

On the second goal, the lack of leadership in the backline we have been talking about came to fruition. First, Sergio Reguilón was beaten at the back post and a decent cross was headed back into the middle of the box. It was at this point the real calamity ensued.

Any of Lloris, Sanchez, or Rodon could have called for the ball and won it individually. Instead, no one said a word as Sanchez and Rodon both went for the same ball only to run into each other and drop the ball right in front of the net.

It was this loose ball that Willock came running in on and blasted off the bottom of the crossbar and into the back of the net. 2-2 off a play that should have been easily cleared by a defender instead again ended up in the back of the net.

Such has been the story of the Tottenham season failures at one end are compounded by mistakes at the other. With only 8 matches left to start thinking Tottenham will find consistency is almost laughable at this point. As opportunity after opportunity passes the team by it, is becoming clearer this will end up another season of what might have been for Tottenham.