Newcastle United are taking on Tottenham Hotspur in their fourth pre-season friendly and here is how the players have done in the first half that finished 1-1.
There had been a bit of renewed hope around Newcastle United in the last couple of days after Liverpool’s bid for Alexander Isak was rejected and the chances of signing Benjamin Sesko were revived.
Yet, the negativity was back after four minutes as a sloppy Newcastle allowed Brennan Johnson to score the opener.
After a nervy start as Spurs’ press rattled them, Newcastle got a hold of the ball and began to create some openings.
Despite good work on the ball, Newcastle still looked weak and vulnerable on the counter and were fortunate not to go two goals down.
Yet, the Magpies got a deserved leveller when Harvey Barnes cut inside and fired in off the post. Both sides had more chances but the break came with the scores all square.
Here’s how the players performed in the opening 45.
Harvey Barnes pumps his fist in celebration after scoring for Newcastle vs Tottenham.
Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
Nick Pope – 6
A terrible opening in which he nervously sliced a clearance to give away a corner and then couldn’t keep out Johnson’s shot when he could have done better. Redeemed himself with brilliant goalkeeping to deny Mathys Tell as he went clear through on goal.
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Kieran Trippier – 6.5
Great link-up play with Jacob Murphy down the right, as he repeatedly found the winger with smart passes into space on the flank. Dangerous crosses into the box, too, but Spurs did have a lot of joy down his flank. Booked for hauling down Son.
Fabian Schar – 5.5
A bit lost at sea as Newcastle targeted him with long balls over the top and intense pressing. Settled but never looked comfortable with Spurs’ quick passing.
Dan Burn – 6
Good on the ball but struggled to deal with Tottenham’s quick, incisive counters.
Matt Targett – 7
Strong display. Proactive and full-blooded in winning the ball back and tidy when on it, though obviously couldn’t match Tel for pace.
Lewis Miley – 7
Some really nice distribution in the middle of the park and buzzed around the field, involved with Murphy and Trippier’s interplay.
Bruno Guimaraes – 6.5
Nowhere near Johnson as he waltzed through on goal and was clumsy on the ball at times. Yet, he did deliver an excellent cross that should have been converted by his compatriot and was involved in a lot of good attacks.
Joelinton – 6
Looks a lot fitter and battled hard but still not his sharpest on the ball. Missed two golden opportunities to score.
Jacob Murphy – 6.5
Dispossessed in a dangerous position to allow Johnson to score. After a poor start, he began to threaten down the right, linking particularly well with Gordon.
Anthony Gordon – 8
Anthony Gordon has struggled as the central striker in the past but he showed a lot of promise in the role against Spurs. Instead of just leading the line, he was given room to roam in the channels and pockets to link with his fellow attackers and get played into dangerous positions.
He was at the heart of Newcastle’s best moments, like when he bamboozled a defender on the touchline and played it for Joelinton, but the Brazilian couldn’t put it away, and when he hit the post himself moments later.
The best player on the pitch in the first half and it was no surprise when he played a role in the leveller by passing to Barnes.
Harvey Barnes – 7.5
Showed some nice touches and worked to make things happen out on the left, which he finally did when he cut inside and hit a wicked shot in off the post.