Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2 analysis: Rob Elliot excels as Magpies fight back in dramatic fashion

The Magpies left it late to pull off impressive comeback

Sunday 13 December 2015 19:58 GMT

Ayoze Perez nips in the score the injury-time winner (GETTY IMAGES)

MAN OF THE MATCH

Goalkeeper Rob Elliot kept the Magpies in the game in the first half with a number of important saves. Spurs had 11 shots on target during the first 45 minutes and Elliot did well to keep it goalless until the 39th minute. Elliot's best save of the half came in the 36th minute when he managed to keep Erik Lamela's curling shot out. Although he had a quieter second half, his 56th-minute save from Harry Kane kept his team in it and provided the platform for their comeback.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

In the 44th minute, a Christian Eriksen shot deflected off Fabricio Coloccini to Danny Rose, whose low cross to Harry Kane was just too close to the goal for the striker to slide in and score. Had that been the second goal, any sort of comeback would have been beyond Newcastle. On such fine margins are many Premier League games decided.

MOAN OF THE MATCH

Referee Roger East was not happy when Tottenham's Kyle Walker, who had been off for treatment after a 50-50 challenge with Newcastle left-back Paul Dummett, tried to come back into play and take the throw in. Walker was ready to throw the ball in when East blew his whistle and ran over to the 25-year-old defender only to tell him to put both feet on to the pitch so he could step back off the pitch to take the throw.

Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2 player ratings

Show all 24

1/24Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2 player ratings

Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2 player ratings

Tottenham: Hugo Lloris 5 out of 10

Stepped up when needed in the first half but will be disappointed he didn’t handle the two goals which he conceded a lot better.

2015 Getty Images

Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2 player ratings

Kyle Walker 7 out of 10

A valuable part of his manager’s strategy, sweeping up and down the flanks, the England full-back performed his duties admirably.

Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2 player ratings

Toby Alderweireld 7 out of 10

An assured, if unremarkable, outing from the man Mauricio Pochettino stole from under former club Southampton’s noses in the summer. Switched off late on.

2015 Getty Images

Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2 player ratings

Jan Vertonghen 6 out of 10

Steadfast and resolute, the Newcastle attackers would have been forgiven for feeling daunted by the Belgian. Like his defensive partner, though, late defensive lapses cost the hosts.

2015 Getty Images

Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2 player ratings

Danny Rose 7 out of 10

Always a threat on the break, the left-back was prepared to track back whenever possession was lost in attacking positions.

Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2 player ratings

Erik Dier 8 out of 10

Leapt brilliantly to apply a neat headed finish to Christian Eriksen’s corner which put Spurs into a lead they perhaps should have held.

2015 Getty Images

Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2 player ratings

Tom Carroll 6 out of 10

Protected by the more experienced players around him, the young midfielder was able to concentrate. Missing at times.

2015 Getty Images

Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2 player ratings

Erik Lamela 6 out of 10

Continues to prove his worth but flashes of brilliance are split up by periods of relative absence from the action.

Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2 player ratings

Dele Alli 7 out of 10

Perhaps goes down too easily under challenges but the former MK Dons midfielder’s emergence shows no signs of stopping after another all-action display.

Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2 player ratings

Christian Eriksen 7 out of 10

Provided another assist for one of his team-mates and posed a lurking threat for the Newcastle defenders.

Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2 player ratings

Harry Kane 6 out of 10

Prodded and probed the Newcastle backline, hoping to find a pocket of open space, to no avail. The work-rate was there but the effectiveness was lacking.

2015 Getty Images

Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2 player ratings

Newcastle: Rob Elliot 8 out of 10

Shut out a series of chances destined for the net to keep the score respectable, in Tim Krul’s continued absence, before the late heroics of his team-mates.

Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2 player ratings

Chancel Mbemba 7 out of 10

Marshalled Harry Kane effectively meaning the England striker had a largely frustrating afternoon in front of goal.

2015 Getty Images

Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2 player ratings

Fabricio Coloccini 7 out of 10

Was invaluable in Newcastle’s equaliser, climbing above all the white shirts around him, while also being a rock at the back.

2015 Getty Images

Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2 player ratings

Paul Dummett 7 out of 10

Occasionally exposed at the back, the 24-year-old often made amends for his errors through hard work and determination.

2015 Getty Images

Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2 player ratings

Moussa Sissoko 7 out of 10

Waited patiently for opportunities during a frustrating first-half. Was rewarded when the match opened up in the second period.

Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2 player ratings

Vurnon Anita 7 out of 10

Demonstrated the fight and attitude which has typified the recent Newcastle re-emergence.

Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2 player ratings

Jack Colback 7 out of 10

Wore his heart on his sleeve in his attempts to draw the Magpies level but lacked the conviction to do anything about it.

Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2 player ratings

Daryl Janmaat 7 out of 10

Squandered possession at vital moments but showed a willingness to get stuck in when the going got tough.

Getty

Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2 player ratings

Georginio Wijnaldum 7 out of 10

Terrier-like in his efforts to retrieve (or keep) the ball in the heart of Newcastle’s midfield, they may have a future legend among their ranks.

Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2 player ratings

Siem de Jong 6 out of 10

Ineffective and impotent alongside Papiss Cisse, this was a disappointing outing.

Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2 player ratings

Papiss Cisse 7 out of 10

Failed to make his mark on the match for large periods but hurried defenders into mistakes and carried on running until the last.

2015 Getty Images

Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2 player ratings

OFF THE BENCH: Aleksandar Mitrovic 8 out of 10

Pounced on Chancel Mbemba’s deflected header to poke Newcastle level late on. A valuable contribution from their pantomime villain.

Tottenham 1 Newcastle 2 player ratings

OFF THE BENCH: Ayoze Perez 8 out of 10

Was in the right place at the right time to score a shock – but thoroughly deserved – winner. Injected his team with desperately-needed urgency when he came on.

2015 Getty Images

VIEW FROM THE BENCH

Mauricio Pochettino will be particularly frustrated at Spurs' second half performance, but they have done little wrong so far this season and a rare defeat in an unpredictable division should not be held against him. The coming weeks should be interesting, however. How will Spurs respond, and how will he balance a squad he asks so much of during the busiest period of the season?

Steve McClaren's stock at Newcastle is at its highest since before the opening game of the season, with consecutive victories over Tottenham and Liverpool unquestionably impressive when he was under pressure. Magpies fans will hope he capitalises on this momentum and steers his team into the comfort of mid-table.

WHO'S UP NEXT

Southampton v Tottenham, Premier League, Saturday 19 December

Newcastle v Aston Villa, Premier League, Saturday 19 December

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies