The match between Newcastle and Tottenham was just as goal-rich as predicted in advance – but only one team was responsible for the goals on Saturday morning.
The corresponding match ended 6–1 in Newcastle’s favor last season, and it looked at times as if the numbers could be just as big this time as well.
It didn’t happen, but Tottenham had little to offer against Alexander Isak and co.
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The fight wavered back and forth initially. Timo Werner had a couple of good opportunities, but the Tottenham player had not fine-tuned his aim.
Then it crashed instead at the other end.
Gordon found Sweden’s Isak in the back room, who sent van de Ven on his ass with a pull and knocked the home team into the lead.
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– St James’ Park explodes in sound, exclaimed commentator Eivind Bisgaard Sunde.
The Newcastle supporters barely had time to catch their breath, before there was another internet frenzy. Tottenham messed it up in the back rows and the ball was intercepted by Gordon.
Like Isak, he pulled off van de Ven so that the Dutchman lay without a chance on the grass, before adding to make it 2–0.
The 22-year-old has been a revelation at fullback for Tottenham this season, so several experts were stunned by the pictures.
– Micky van de Ven has had two nightmare moments, was the verdict from BBC expert Pat Nevin.
– I think Micky van de Ven is wearing roller skates, wrote colleague Ally McCoist.
– Ben Davies warming up. I think van de Ven’s minutes on the pitch are shrinking, wrote Sky Sports’ Keith Downie.
– He is so hot
Newcastle continued to dominate after the change of sides. Five minutes into the second half, Isak again got to run in the back room. The forward came all alone with Vicario, who had little to offer against an Isak in super form.
– He is so hot, said Bisgaard Sunde.
Tottenham had most of the possession, but it did little when Newcastle were better in the final third.
Fabian Schär made it 4–0 on the stroke of halftime.
Thus it was a crushing loss for Ange Postecoglou and his men.