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Tottenham player ratings vs Newcastle: James Maddison impresses as Alfie Devine and Tyrese Hall stake a claim

Tottenham rounded off the campaign with a controversial post-season friendly against Newcastle in Melbourne’s MGC that was effectively a commercial exercise.

James Maddison and Alexander Isak exchanged goals in the first half, and Ange Postecoglou, back in his home city, made a raft of changes after the break – underlining the friendly feel to the contest.

The game was decided by a penalty shootout, with Newcastle winning 5-4 after Bryan Gil was the only player to miss.

Here’s how Dan Kilpatrick rated those on show...

Heung-min Son shoots (Getty Images)
Heung-min Son shoots (Getty Images)

Brandon Austin 5

Palmed the ball into Isak’s path for Newcastle’s equaliser at the end of a first half when he had little else to do. Similarly quiet after the break.

Pedro Porro 6

Looked a little jaded after a long season and did not offer his usual attacking verve.

Radu Dragusin 6

Largely untested defensively in a game Spurs dominated before Isak equalised.

Micky van de Ven 7

Beat Isak in a couple of eye-catching foot races in the first half.

Emerson Royal 7

Enjoyed a freer role than usual, getting into some dangerous attacking areas in both halves, although might have been tighter defensively for Newcastle’s goal.

Rodrigo Bentancur 6

Composed at the base of midfield as Spurs dominated the opening 45 minutes.

Pape Sarr 7

Appeared to be enjoying himself, at one point trying his luck on goal from deep inside his own half.

James Maddison celebrates his fine opener (Getty Images)
James Maddison celebrates his fine opener (Getty Images)

James Maddison 8

Did not look like a player worried about injury before the European Championship in a lively display. Capitalised on Nick Pope’s error to score an excellent goal and was at the heart of Spurs’ dominant first half.

Dejan Kulusevski 6

Energetic off the ball and calm in possession in a central role, but did not have a notable impact in the final third.

Brennan Johnson 6

Had a close-range effort saved by Pope when he probably should have scored.

Heung-min Son 7

Saw a penalty appeal waved away after a collision with former teammate Kieran Trippier and set up the aforementioned chance for Johnson with a low cross.

Alfie Devine and Harvey Barnes (Getty Images)
Alfie Devine and Harvey Barnes (Getty Images)

Subs

Alfie Devine (Maddison 45’) 7

Influential as Spurs ran the game in the second half, linking up well with the likes of Bryan Gil and Jamie Donely.

Ashley Phillips (Porro 45’) 6

Obviously comfortable on the ball but not pushed defensively by a Newcastle team which was also much-changed after the interval.

George Abbott (Van de Ven 45’) 6

Kept it simple, recycling the ball quickly to allow the flair players ahead of him to have most of the ball. Looks accomplished.

Oliver Skipp (Bentancur 45’) 6

Played out the second half at centre-half. Relatively untroubled but managed to get booked.

Bryan Gil (Son 61’) 7

Bright on what you have to imagine could be his last appearance in a Spurs shirt. Fired a shot wide after cutting in from the right.

Jame Donley (Sarr 61’) 7

Produced a couple of nice touches in dangerous areas and fizzed a shot wide of the far post, as Spurs continued to dominate after the break.

Dane Scarlett (Kulusevski 69’) 7

Peppered efforts on the Newcastle goal in a lively late cameo, although most were blocked or wayward.

Yago Santiago (Johnson 69’) 7

Stretched the game down the right flank and put a couple of dangerous crosses into the box.

Tyrese Hall (Getty Images)
Tyrese Hall (Getty Images)

Tyrese Hall (Dragusin 71’) 7

Composed in possession and carried the ball into some good areas. Looks a prospect.

Alfie Whiteman (Austin 78’) 6

Completely untroubled by a Newcastle side who looked far less interested than Spurs.

Rio Kyerematen (Emerson 87’) 6

No time to make an impact in a late cameo.

Leo Black (Abbott 87’) 6

A valuable experience for a player who has spent most of this season with Spurs’ Under-18s.