“Truly dreadful” – Tottenham pair criticized for poor performance against Newcastle

Despite dominating much of the game and creating several scoring opportunities, Spurs were unable to turn their control into a win, ultimately suffering a disappointing defeat.

Newcastle took the lead just before halftime when Harvey Barnes converted a well-placed cross from Lloyd Kelly.

Tottenham equalized in the second half due to a fortunate own goal by Dan Burn, but their momentum was short-lived.

Sky Sports co-commentator Andy Hinchcliffe criticized Spurs’ defensive performance, particularly in the buildup to Newcastle’s winning goal.

Hinchcliffe pointed out that Cristian Romero was caught ball-watching and failed to track Jacob Murphy’s run, allowing Murphy to easily get behind the defense.

Murphy then assisted Alexander Isak for the decisive goal.

The commentator emphasized the need for Tottenham’s defenders to remain aware of their surroundings and position themselves better to prevent such threats.

Romero’s brief lapse in concentration, combined with Destiny Udogie’s failure to mark Murphy, left the defense vulnerable and ultimately resulted in their loss.

Hinchcliffe commented on Sky Sports:

“Defensively from Tottenham, this is just truly dreadful.

“Don’t ball-watch; you have to drop off. Romero just seems to be watching the ball, no idea where [Jacob] Murphy is, [Destiny] Udogie hasn’t tracked him in.

“It’s too easy for Murphy to get in behind that Tottenham back line.”

This defeat highlights the ongoing defensive issues that have troubled Spurs.

As Tottenham progresses through the season, it will be crucial to address these defensive flaws to achieve better results and solidify their backline.

While Spurs have shown an ability to control games and create chances, their success this season will largely depend on their ability to capitalize on these opportunities and strengthen their defensive performance.