Spurs knocked from top four in humiliating 4-0 loss to Newcastle

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Spurs knocked from top four in humiliating 4-0 loss to Newcastle

Published: 14 Apr. 2024, 11:55 Updated: 14 Apr. 2024, 11:58

PAIK JI-HWAN
paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr

Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min, center, in action during a Premier League match against Newcastle United at St. James Park in Newcastle, England on Saturday. [EPA/YONHAP]

Tottenham Hotspur suffered a huge 4-0 loss to Newcastle United on Saturday, slipping down to fifth place on the Premier League table in their biggest defeat of the season.

Tottenham struggled with counter attacks in the match at St. James Park in Newcastle, England, conceding goals to repeat mistakes. Captain Son Heung-min committed the first offense, giving away the ball inside Newcastle’s penalty area, which led to a counter attack that Alexandar Isak took advantage of in the 30th minute.

The Spurs defense also cost them another goal two minutes later, with full-back Pedro Porro mistiming a pass toward the penalty box and allowing Anthony Gordon to snatch the ball and make it 2-0.

Spurs conceded yet another goal in the 51st minute in nearly the same pattern as the first goal. Son gave away the ball inside the Newcastle territory, leading to a counter attack that allowed Isak to find the back of the net again.

Son came off in the 57th minute after a tepid performance before Spurs conceded goal No. 4 to Fabian Schar in the 87th minute from a corner.

Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min, right, walks past manager Ange Postecoglou after being substituted during a Premier League match against Newcastle United at St. James Park in Newcastle, England on Saturday. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

“We just didn’t really get to any levels that would allow us to sort of get a grip on the game,” Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou said after the match.

The 4-0 loss was the biggest defeat Spurs suffered in all competitions in the 2023-24 season.

The defeat pushed the London side down to fifth on the Premier League table. They are tied on points with Aston Villa at 60, but Villa edge out the London side by one goal on goal difference.

Reclaiming the fourth place would be crucial for Spurs, as the top four sides in the Premier League earn berths in the next season’s Champions League.

Six league fixtures remain for Tottenham. The club will have a two-week break before they play the next match against local rivals Arsenal on April 28.

Arsenal sit in second place with 71 points — two points behind defending champions Manchester City having played one game fewer.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]