Pundit names Tottenham best player in the 1-2 defeat to Newcastle

Tottenham’s latest game against Newcastle really highlighted Brennan Johnson’s growing influence. Despite starting on the bench, he turned out to be one of the team’s most impactful players. His performance drew praise from pundits, including Andy Hinchcliffe, who commended Johnson for his dynamic presence on the pitch.

Johnson was surprisingly left out of Tottenham’s starting eleven by Ange Postecoglou, following underwhelming performances against Leicester City and Everton. However, Postecoglou’s decision to introduce Johnson at halftime when Spurs were trailing 1-0 proved pivotal. The Welsh winger replaced Pape Matar Sarr and immediately brought a new dynamism to Tottenham’s attack.

The introduction of Johnson injected much-needed pace and creativity into Spurs' play. His direct running and crossing ability troubled Newcastle’s defence, and he played a crucial role in Tottenham’s equaliser. Johnson’s cross into the box was deflected into the net by Newcastle’s Dan Burn, showcasing his contribution despite the difficult circumstances.

Pundit names Tottenham best player in the 1-2 defeat to Newcastle

However, despite Johnson’s energetic performance, Tottenham’s inability to convert opportunities once again proved costly. The Spurs forwards struggled to capitalise on Johnson’s deliveries, with poor finishing and ineffective final passes undermining their efforts. Hinchcliffe was particularly critical of Johnson’s teammates for not capitalising on his dangerous crosses. He told Sky Sports:

"The pace of Johnson gets him away, it’s just his teammates can’t keep up with him, can’t get into the six-yard box to get on the end of the cross. It’s fair to say Brennan Johnson’s been Tottenham’s best player and he’s only played half the match."

This fits with what we've seen from Johnson at Tottenham; he tends to make a bigger splash when coming off the bench rather than starting. While he clearly knows how to turn things around from a substitute's role, it does raise the question of why he hasn’t been able to bring that same spark from the first whistle.