Spurs: Bentancur was “immense” vs Newcastle

Tottenham Hotspur suffered a second successive Premier League defeat after slipping up at house to Newcastle United on Sunday, bringing an finish to a irritating week which has dragged Antonio Conte’s proper again into the scrap for the highest 4.

Having beforehand appeared considerably settled as the very best of the remainder behind leaders Arsenal and champions Manchester Metropolis, the north Londoners are actually solely two factors forward of the Magpies in fourth, with each Chelsea and Manchester United additionally each firmly within the combine behind them.

Recent from their grim defeat at Previous Trafford in midweek, the Lilywhites had been once more beneath par in opposition to Eddie Howe’s aspect, with objectives from Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron handing the guests a two-goal lead heading in on the break.

A usually scientific header from Harry Kane simply after the interval had raised hopes of a possible fightback for the house aspect, though the Englishman’s effort in the end proved a mere comfort as Conte’s males suffered a third defeat of their final 5 league video games.

A uncommon shining gentle in that irritating loss had been that man Kane, with the Three Lions skipper taking his top-flight tally to ten objectives in simply 12 video games to this point, with that gorgeous run having solely been overshadowed by the freakish exploits of Erling Haaland, who leads the scoring charts with a mammoth haul of 17 objectives.

The 29-year-old got here shut to creating a breakthrough within the first half solely to see his well-worked effort saved by the payment of compatriot Nick Pope, having additionally showcased his playmaking brilliance by sliding in partner-in-crime Heung-min Son, just for the Korean worldwide to inexplicably squander the chance.

The prolific striker was not the one Tottenham determine to have impressed amid defeat, nevertheless, with January arrival Rodrigo Bentancur having additionally been “immense” within the centre of the park, in accordance with Lee Barratt.

That “outstanding” efficiency – as described by journalist Dan Kilpatrick – noticed the 25-year-old notably win ten of his 14 floor duels from his central midfield berth, whereas additionally successful two of his three aerial duels.

With the industrious Pierre-Emile Hojberg dominated out as a consequence of damage, the Uruguayan worldwide took on the Dane’s all-action position as a part of the midfield three, having additionally gained six tackles and made 4 interceptions on the day.

Not simply an asset defensively, the previous Juventus maestro additionally showcased his attacking high quality after registering three key passes and efficiently finishing all 4 of his tried dribbles, together with his general match ranking of 7.8, as per SofaScore, the third-highest of any participant for both aspect.

That machine-like efficiency might have been little comfort for each the participant and his supervisor amid the general frustration of defeat, though it has as soon as once more served as a reminder of the £31.5m-rated man’s significance to this Tottenham aspect.