Tottenham Hotspur’s difficult start to the Premier League season continued as Newcastle United claimed a convincing 2-0 victory, leaving Spurs without a goal or a point from their opening two matches.
Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa were on target for Newcastle, whose improved performances underlined a strong response from players looking to rediscover their best form.
Despite a major summer spending spree that saw Tottenham invest around £320 million on eight new signings, Roberto De Zerbi’s side are yet to show the expected improvement.
The defeat came just a week after their heavy 3-0 loss at Brentford, with sections of the home supporters making their frustration known at the final whistle.
Tottenham handed a debut to forward Omar Marmoush, but once again struggled to convert their possession and attacking moves into goals.
The hosts were also without new signing Savio, the £75 million winger sidelined by muscle fatigue. Meanwhile, Sandro Tonali, who recently completed a £100 million move from Newcastle to Tottenham, endured a difficult afternoon and was subjected to jeers from his former club’s supporters.
Spurs began the game brightly and created some promising opportunities in the opening half. Newcastle goalkeeper Lucas Hornicek was called into action to deny efforts from Mathys Tel and Jan Paul van Hecke as Tottenham searched for a breakthrough.
However, Newcastle took control after the interval.
Elanga, who had struggled for consistency last season but impressed with a goal against Liverpool in his previous outing, broke the deadlock midway through the second half.
The winger reacted sharply inside the penalty area, turning before firing a shot that struck the post and crossed the line.
De Zerbi responded by making three substitutions in an attempt to revive his side, but Tottenham failed to mount a serious challenge for an equaliser.
Newcastle doubled their advantage late in the contest through Wissa. Substitute Nick Woltemade headed a corner back into the six-yard area, where Wissa produced an audacious finish, hooking the ball over his head and into the net with his back to goal.
The result gives Newcastle their first victory of the campaign, while Tottenham face growing pressure to turn their expensive summer rebuild into results after another disappointing outing.
