Tottenham enjoyed a commanding second half to easily see off the Magpies 5-1 and, for the time being, take possession of fourth place.
It was a comprehensive display from Antonio Conte’s side, who poured on the flair after the interval. The usual suspects, including Harry Kane, Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski, were dominant.
Spurs also got excellent offensive contribution from Matthew Doherty, who looks like a man reborn in recent weeks. Spurs scored on all four shots on target in the second half.
Here’s the player ratings from a sublime home performance against Eddie Howe’s Newcastle.
Defence
Hugo Lloris 6/10
Hugo Lloris should have done better on Fabian Schar’s free-kick goal. Although there was tons of traffic and, quite possibly, interference, Lloris cannot concede on the side of the goal he’s responsible for. Make the free kick taker score a beauty over the wall, but don’t allow a low drive on your side.
Ben Davies 8/10
Ben Davies started the match slightly tentatively but made up for it in a big way by heading home Tottenham’s equalizer before the break. He was sound defensively after his goal and played a strong second half.
Eric Dier 7/10
Like his Welsh colleague, Eric Dier was a bit unsure in the tackle during the opening 30 or so minutes. Dier settled down after the interval and didn’t step a foot wrong.
Cristian Romero 9/10
The Argentine was easily Tottenham’s best defender. He made a brilliant last-gasp tackle to prevent a sure goal, was calculatingly aggressive and totally composed in possession. He pops up everywhere, anticipates brilliantly and is unceasingly proactive.
Midfield
Emerson Royal 7/10
Emerson Royal scored his first goal for the club, benefitting from a brilliant Doherty setup. The right back, who has lost his starting role to the aforementioned Irishman, will take great confidence from scoring.
Matt Doherty 9/10
Matt Doherty is certainly a man reborn. Playing out of position on the left side, the Irishman didn’t miss a beat. Controlled, poised and sound defensively, Doherty also offered Spurs a consistent threat going forward. Doherty, who finished neatly with a glancing header, scored Tottenham’s second on a wonderful cross from Harry Kane. He also sublimely set up Emerson Royal, who scored his first goal for the club.
Outstanding performance from Doherty, who is looking every part the player Spurs purchased from Wolves a couple of years ago.
Pierre Hojbjerg 7/10
Pierre Hojbjerg did everything he had to in an unassuming, rather unheralded outing. The Dane offered what he usually does in terms of work rate and effort. While he conceded possession unnecessarily a few times, for the most part he settled down nicely after the interval.
Rodrigo Bentancur 9/10
The maestro dominated and controlled all aspects of Spurs’ midfield. He tracks back expertly, controls the pace of the match, passes with pinpoint accuracy and anticipates brilliantly both with and without the ball. Quality signing who offers a touch of class.
Forwards and Subs
Harry Kane 9/10
The England captain showed his class all afternoon, particularly in the playmaker capacity. Not only Tottenham’s best goalscorer, Kane is also head and shoulders above in his ability to thread the needle. He was the focal point of most dangerous Tottenham attacks, making the fact that he didn’t score a much easier pill to swallow.
Son Hueng-min 8/10
Dangerous as always, Sonny provided the spark his team required. Sonny, who was slightly wasteful in front of goal, could have scored more than just the single goal. However, it was still an all-round accomplished performance from the South Korean. Also set up Davies’ equalizer from a superbly struck cross.
Dejan Kulusevski 8/10
Like Sonny, Dejan was an instrumental part of Tottenham’s relentless attacking forays in the second half. He set up Sonny’s 54th minute goal and was a perfect complement to the other two forwards, as we’ve become accustomed to since his arrival.
Harry Winks 7/10
Took a crack from long range immediately after coming on and just missed.
Steven Bergwijn 9/10
An outstanding cameo performance highlighted by a confident finish.
Lucas Moura 8/10
The Brazilian assisted on Bergwijn’s goal and looked spritely in limited minutes.