How national media reported Newcastle's 2-1 Spurs win with Postecoglou tactics slammed
Newcastle United kicked off what could be a huge 2025 in the best possible way, with an important 2-1 victory over Tottenham. Eddie Howe's side were perhaps not at their fluent best, but a superb 20-minute spell before the break ensured they took control of the game, and never really looked like relinquishing it.
Goals from Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak canceleld out Dominic Solanke's early opener, while both United's goalscorers had big chances to increase the lead. Injury-hit Spurs did perform better after the break, but with Martin Dubravka rarely tested in the away goal, Newcastle held on for another three points.
It means six wins on the bounce in all competitions for United and plenty to look forward to over the coming weeks and months. Here's what the national media made of the game.
READ MORE: Newcastle United star Alexander Isak speaks out on Swedish TV as Merson sorry for Arsenal talk
READ MORE: Alan Shearer request to Alexander Isak granted as unseen move from legend pays off in style
The Mail
Newcastle's revival rolls on, gathering momentum with a sixth successive victory and sharpening their Champions League credentials. Stepping into a New Year as they exited the old one, looking strong at the back, slick on the break and Alexander Isak among the goals.
Isak scored the winner. Not his finest of the season, scuffed into an open goal from a couple of yards but he now has 14 for the season and goals in each of his last seven Premier League games. Indeed, this was not a vintage performance, but nobody in the away end was complaining as their team eased within two points of the top four.
Eddie Howe, overlooked for the England job, can take satisfaction from his first win of the season in London, achieved in the presence of Thomas Tuchel, belatedly starting his new job with a ticket in the VIP seats.
The Sun
Thomas Tuchel barely had time to take his seat here before his England hopefuls quickly showed just how much talent he has at his disposal. Dominic Solanke gave Spurs the lead within four minutes with a brilliant header, before Anthony Gordon levelled up with a smart finish just two minutes later.
Both players will be hoping to be included when new Three Lions boss Tuchel names his first squad in March - and be a big part of his mission to end our 60-year wait for silverware at the World Cup next year.
At 29, Jacob Murphy is unlikely to be called up but even he put up a decent case with his assist here for Alexander Isak’s winner his sixth goal involvement in the last five games. Newcastle have won all five of those to motor up the league and put them in sight of the Champions League spots.
The Guardian
Ange Postecoglou stood, as he always does, hands in pockets, at the edge of his technical area. It had been another frustrating afternoon, a defeat that means Spurs have now won just one of their last eight league games. There was general grumbling rather than targeted fury, but the clear sense of another season drifting away for Spurs. For Newcastle, meanwhile, a fifth successive Premier League win means Champions League qualification, which looked highly unlikely when they lost at Brentford a month ago, seems a suddenly realistic target.
Of course it was going to be like this; how could it not have been? This is just the way Spurs do it, mate. There stands Postecoglou; he can do no other. But there also stands Radu Dragusin, and there stands Pape Matar Sarr, mystifyingly far apart. This is about philosophies, but it’s not only about philosophies. There is no system in which the opposition should be allowed to wander through the spaces in the way Newcastle did at times towards the end of the first half. That is not anybody’s process, and Eddie Howe’s side, particularly before half-time, took full advantage.
The Independent
Newcastle came from behind to clinch a fifth straight Premier League win and inflict more pain on Ange Postecoglou’s depleted Tottenham.
Spurs, who were without 11 players, went ahead after four minutes through Dominic Solanke but their celebrations were short-lived with Anthony Gordon able to equalise in the sixth minute.
There was an element of controversy about the leveller after Joelinton handled in the build-up, but VAR allowed the goal to stand and Eddie Howe’s men claimed all three points thanks to Alexander Isak’s 14th goal of the season before half-time.
Tottenham had won this fixture 4-1 against an injury-ravaged Newcastle last season, but this time they were depleted, and illness to Fraser Forster meant third-choice goalkeeper Brandon Austin made his first appearance for the club.
