Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa struck in the second half as Newcastle United condemned big-spending Tottenham Hotspur to a second successive Premier League defeat with a 2-0 victory on Saturday.
Tottenham dominated large spells of the contest but were punished for their wastefulness as Elanga and Wissa found the net after the break, sending frustrated home supporters streaming towards the exits before the final whistle.
The result gave Newcastle manager Matthias Jaissle his first Premier League victory after he began his tenure with a 2-2 draw against Liverpool last weekend.
For Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi, it was another chastening afternoon. His expensively rebuilt side had opened the campaign with an embarrassing 3-0 defeat at Brentford and have now failed to score in their first two league games for the first time since the 1992/93 season.
Tottenham have spent more than £300 million ($406 million) during the close season as De Zerbi reshaped a squad that only narrowly avoided relegation on the final day of last season.
New signing Omar Marmoush made his debut after joining on loan from Manchester City this week, but the Egypt forward struggled to make an impact. Another recent City arrival, Savio, missed the game with a muscular injury.
A 5-1 League Cup victory over Championship side Charlton in midweek offered Tottenham brief encouragement, but it proved little more than a false dawn.
Tonali taunted
Newcastle nearly made a dream start when Elanga attempted a first-minute lob that Tottenham defenders scrambled clear just before it crossed the line.
Tottenham then took control, with Mathys Tel forcing a fine save from Newcastle goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek with a curling effort from the edge of the box.
Pedro Porro and Marmoush both volleyed narrowly wide in quick succession after Newcastle struggled to clear a series of dangerous corners.
Hornicek was again called into action to keep out Andrew Robertson’s drive and a Jan Paul van Hecke header.
Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali was subjected to taunts from the visiting supporters during his first appearance against his former club since his £100 million move in July.
The Italy international had a chance to answer his critics on the stroke of half-time but scuffed a gilt-edged opportunity wide from close range.
Tottenham appealed unsuccessfully for a penalty early in the second half when Malick Thiaw clipped Marmoush inside the area.
Instead, Newcastle made them pay for their missed chances in the 62nd minute.
Elanga, who scored his first league goal for Newcastle against Liverpool last weekend, struck again after controlling Amar Dedic’s cushioned header with a superb turn before drilling a clinical finish from just inside the area.
Tottenham tried to respond, with Hornicek tipping a Porro strike over the crossbar, but Newcastle remained the more dangerous side.
Wissa sealed the points in the 72nd minute with a clever over-the-shoulder flick from close range after Nick Woltemade headed a corner into the path of the DR Congo forward.
There was a fitting end to a miserable afternoon for Tottenham when Tonali was substituted in the closing stages, departing to the jeers of the Newcastle supporters.
The defeat leaves De Zerbi facing an early crisis at a club that has invested heavily in his vision, while Newcastle can celebrate a first league win under Jaissle.
AFP
