Trip to capital offers chance to banish those demons
NEWCASTLE United head to Tottenham Hotspur with mixed memories this weekend. Last time out at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the Magpies were thrashed 5-1 in April, only emphasising the work that still needed to be done to reach the level of English football’s elite.
However, Eddie Howe’s side are a different animal this season and have made an impressive start to the campaign, losing just once to a late goal at Liverpool and drawing with both Manchester City and Manchester United.
The game against Spurs today will be another good marker for Howe, to see whether European football is indeed in touching distance, or how much work still needs to be done.
The trip to the capital will give the Toon an opportunity to banish those demons from April last year, and hopefully be more fond memories like the 1-0 win over Spurs back in August 2019. Joelinton was on hand to give the Magpies a much needed and unlikely three points on the road.
Nonetheless, much has changed since then. Antonio Conte’s side boast one of the most impressive home records in the division, having lost just once since February last season. Graham Potter’s Brighton came away 1-0 winners back in April, the last time Spurs tasted defeat in the league.
Prior to that, back to back defeats against Wolves and Southampton compiled misery on Conte’s side in what was a rough patch for the Italian. Tottenham have bounced back and are unbeaten at home this season, winning all five games on home soil.
It’s proven to be a happy hunting ground with Conte’s outfit scoring 15 times and conceding just four goals as their impressive start to the season continues. Newcastle will be hoping to prove their credentials and come away with an invaluable result and keep in touch with the early pace setters.
The Magpies’ away form is not bad either, with their only defeat of the season coming against Liverpool at Anfield, as already mentioned. The Toon have drawn three of their five away games with just one win on the road.