Football Review | Newcastle United 2 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur

Newcastle United booked their place in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with victory over Tottenham.

Fabian Schär and Nick Woltemade both scored with headers as Spurs lost the chance of another trophy run.

Author | Greg S

Stadium | St. James' Park

Spurs, who have often profited from set-pieces this season, were undone by the same weapon at St James’ Park. Newcastle took the lead midway through the first half when Schär climbed above Lucas Bergvall to power home Sandro Tonali’s corner.

Tottenham’s players appealed to referee Chris Kavanagh, arguing that Tonali had taken the corner while Djed Spence was still recovering after fixing his boot, but the goal was allowed to stand. Woltemade then made it two, meeting Joe Willock’s clever scooped cross and guiding a header beyond Antonín Kinský, who failed to make contact with the ball.

Soft goals proved costly for Thomas Frank's side

Tottenham did not have to wait as long as Newcastle to end their own silverware drought last season, lifting the Europa League trophy after 17 years without a major honour.

Manager Thomas Frank, who succeeded Ange Postecoglou, spoke of his side’s hunger to “win more trophies” and showed that intent with his team selection. Despite several injuries, the Dane made only four changes for the tie, underlining how seriously he viewed the competition.

Spurs have been tougher to beat under Frank and boast the Premier League’s best away record, but they will regret the way this defeat unfolded. In the build-up to Newcastle’s opener, Pedro Porro and Richarlison half-heartedly appealed to the referee as Djed Spence adjusted his boot, rather than focusing on defending the corner that followed. For the second, goalkeeper Antonín Kinský misjudged Joe Willock’s cross, allowing Nick Woltemade to nod in after racing ahead of him.

Best Tottenham fan reaction

View from the away during remembrance commemorations

Louis: The front line looks worryingly thin again, with little control or structure, just trading blows with the opposition and hoping to inflict more damage than they take.

Holly A: Richarlison was dreadful, Xavi Simons was dreadful, Tel was dreadful. We are crying out for a proper striker who will throw themselves into the contest instead of shying away at the key moment like Richarlison does. We could have played all night and still not scored.

Steven: That result had been coming for Spurs. There is no depth in midfield or attack, so it was only a matter of time before the defence cracked. No Van de Ven, no result.

Andrew: The match against Newcastle showed how toothless we are going forward. Every move broke down because of a poor decision on the ball. Spurs never looked a threat and cannot keep relying on goals from set-pieces.