Tottenham was in control from the off, but it took a Newcastle goal to open the scoring, which Spurs had no issue doing in a runaway 5-1 victory over Newcastle to move into fourth place in the Premier League.
The game was going as many Tottenham Hotspur games have gone in this situation. Spurs were dominating possession but were unable to find the opener. Almost as if on queue, a silly foul by Son gave Newcastle a free-kick which turned into the opening goal as Spurs went down 0-1 just before the clock hit 40 minutes.
This Spurs side is something different, however, having drawn level with the Magpies before the half and never looking back, as a rampant Tottenham team cruised to a 5-1 win, moving above Arsenal into fourth – at least temporarily.
Spurs give up the unfortunate opener
Everything about Newcastle’s goal was preventable from a Tottenham Hotspur perspective. On the foul, Joe Willock had a poor touch as he opened up on a square ball coming into him from the right, meaning Son did not have to make a challenge. Even saying Son made a challenge is questionable as he stuck out a half-hearted leg.
The leg was enough as Willock went down on contact giving Newcastle the free-kick.
The free-kick was decent enough from Fabian Schar, but it was a shot that Hugo Lloris should have saved. Any keeper worth their salt will tell you that you should save it if you get a hand on it. Lloris got an arm on the ball, but it still went into the net. As VAR reviewed for a possible touch on the way through, Lloris was talking to himself, upset about conceding.
As it turned out, that goal was just what Tottenham needed to open the game and take over, as Spurs scored five unanswered in what became a rout.
Tottenham turn it on vs Newcastle
Tottenham responded almost immediately following Newcastle’s goal. Spurs worked the ball to earn a corner, which Cristian Romero attacked with abandon. The ball ended up recycling to Heung-min Son, the corner taker, who whipped in a great ball, which Ben Davies deflected past Martin Dubravka to pull level at 1-1 before the half.
Despite conceding that Newcastle would be happier for the two teams heading into the break, Spurs turned it on in the second half to win decisively.
Only three minutes into the second half, a poor Newcastle free-kick which gave the ball away near midfield turned on the firehose.
Spurs worked the ball to Harry Kane outside the box, who held the ball and drifted wide to create a crossing angle. Kane’s curling ball into the box skipped just past Son, but Matt Doherty ran in from the left and dove to head Spurs into the lead 2-1.
Newcastle tried to strike back immediately with a long ball to Chris Wood, which he fired over for one of the Magpie’s last chances of the match.
Instead of a Newcastle comeback, Kane again got the ball in the midfield and made a play. As Son ran diagonally, shifting the defence, Kane went up the line to Dejan Kulusevski. Deki continued pushing up the wing and crossed to Son, who took a touch and calmly scored for a 3-1 Spurs lead only 11 minutes after their opener.
Newcastle continued to push down by two, leaving themselves open to a hungry Spurs team.
Doherty and Kulusevki played a one-two on the left, and Doc got a little cross off, which Emerson Royal cleated in as he attacked the near post for the 4-1 lead just past the hour mark.
Tottenham was not done as substitutes came on and wanted to score. Lucas Moura dribbled through the Newcastle middle and, as he was pulled down, managed to toe the ball forward to Steven Bergwijn. The flying Dutchman had no problem finishing to give Spurs the 5-1 lead and the final scoreline.
It was a resounding victory from Tottenham, who move ahead of Arsenal into fourth on goal difference, although the Gunners do have two games in hand. For now, it puts the pressure on Arsenal and keeps the momentum going for Spurs, who look like an Antonio Conte team.