26th April, 2023
Newcastle United’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur at St. James’ Park was billed as a pivotal clash in the race for Champions League qualification. Easily one of the most anticipated fixtures on Match Day 32, the build-up generated plenty of column inches in the sports news, and talk among fans, including those considering the latest odds. In the world of betting new sites are popping up all the time, many of which offer great value to the customer.
Headed into the game, the sides sat fourth and fifth in the table, separated by just 3 points – with Spurs having played one game more. Win this one, and the North London club would move level on points with their North East rivals and set up a nail-biting climax to the Premier League season.
In the end, Spurs didn’t even come close to winning but instead capitulated in a manner rarely seen in the English top flight – particularly in a game between two sides seemingly so closely matched on paper.
5-0 Up By The 21st Minute
Barely a minute had passed before the Magpies – buoyed by a home crowd at fever pitch – struck the first blow. Challenges from a re-jigged Spurs backline were sadly lacking as Joelinton cut in from the left and fired at goal. Hugo Lloris got down to make the save, but there was boyhood Newcastle fan Jacob Murphy to fire home the rebound.
In the sixth minute, it was two. Fabian Scharflighting a wonderful pass out of defence to find Joelinton beating the offside trap. The Brazilian then exquisitely controlled the dropping ball, rounded Lloris and slotted home.
Three minutes later, Jacob Murphy and the rest of Tyneside were in dreamland. Schar stepping in to win the ball on halfway, and the ball running to Murphy. Spurs opted against closing down the 28-year-old, who promptly let fly with a wonderful 25-yard strike into the left-hand side.
Worse was to come for Harry Kane and co. In the 19th minute, Joe Willock was found inside his own half on the left and produced one of the passes of the season with the outside of his right foot – carving the Spurs’ defence to pieces and sending Alexander Isak through on goal. No mistake from the Swedish international, who comfortably found the bottom left corner.
Spurs lasted a whole two minutes before conceding again. Sean Longstaff playing a clever reverse ball to Isak in the right of the box, and Newcastle’s new hero once again finding that bottom left corner.
One more goal for the hosts in the first half would have set a new Premier League record for the most goals by one side in the opening 45 minutes. Tottenham managed to avoid that embarrassment, but that will be scant consolation to the fans who made the long journey up from London to witness a humiliating 6-1 thrashing.
Newcastle Control Their Own Destiny
Newcastle moves third on the back of one of the most spectacular afternoons for the club in decades, leapfrogging Manchester United on goal difference – although the Red Devils do have a game in hand.
Of more significance is the fact that the gap back to Spurs now stands at 6 points, with Newcastle still having a game in hand.
Tottenham aren’t quite out of the race just yet, but on this showing, a bigger threat to Newcastle’s Champions League ambitions may emerge from a revitalised Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion, or a Liverpool side who are finally stringing a run of positive results together.
Many Spurs fans will already be looking towards the summer, in the hopes that the board can begin to sort this mess out.
Newcastle United’s (Magpies) clash with Tottenham Hotspur at St. James’ Park was billed as pivotal in the race for Champions League qualification in the 2022/23 EPL.