A good run out for Newcastle United against high-level Premier League opposition in humid conditions as Eddie Howe’s Mags ended our tour of Asia with a 1-1 draw against Spurs.
A tough start to the first half, which saw us go 1-0 down after three minutes, soon turned in our favour. We had 67% of the ball in the opening 45 minutes (62% overall), which ended with a brilliant Harvey Barnes equaliser.
It was a physical affair and anything but ‘friendly’ at times, even if most will remember it for Son Heung-min’s farewell outing for Spurs. For us, though, we have our own new South Korean star to get excited about.
Our energy levels were much improved on our midweek defeat to Team K-League, Anthony Gordon looked sharp, we controlled large parts of the game and will benefit from what was a competitive game played at a decent pace before it tailed off slightly late on.
Here’s our full match report, along with video highlights from our 1-1 draw in Seoul.
Newcastle XI: Pope – Trippier, Schar, Burn, Targett – Miley, Bruno, Joelinton – J Murphy, Gordon, Barnes.
Tottenham XI: Kinsky – Porro, Danso,Romero, Davies – Bentancur, Gray, Sarr – Johnson, Tel,Son.
NUFC subs: Vlachodimos, Gillespie*,Ruddy, Thompson, Livramento*, Krafth*, Lascelles, A.Murphy,Tonali, Hernes*, Harrison, Elanga*, Seung-soo*, Osula*, Neave. (* = came on).
This XI, as things stand, felt very close to the side we’ll see at Aston Villa in just under two weeks, if you swap in Tino Livramento for Matt Targett and Sandro Tonali for Lewis Miley.
Absent were Joe Willock (ruled out for 4-6 weeks) and Sven Botman (groin) in the squad, although it’s hoped the Dutchman will feature in one of next week’s games against Espanyol and Atletico Madrid at St James’ Park.
In better news, Lewis Hall was in the squad again after returnign to full training this week, with new boys Anthony Elanga and Seung-soo Park on the bench, with the latter hoping to shine in his homeland on a day many were dedicating to departing Spurs legend Son Heung-Min.
Now for the action itself and we were second best in a fast start from Spurs, as an early Pope save was followed by a Brennan Johnson opener just three minutes in. Murphy was bullied off the ball, the Welsh international moved away from Miley and curled into the bottom corner from 20 yards via a big Dan Burn deflection. 1-0 Spurs.
Brennan Johnson scores after just THREE minutes against Newcastle 😮
Spurs caught them sleeping 😬 pic.twitter.com/4iq2hzsVAd
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) August 3, 2025
We settled after and started to see more of the ball, with it interesting to see Miley playing in a deeper No. 6 role as Joelinton (LCM) and Bruno (RCM) operating in slightly more advanced roles either side of the 18-year-old.
We could’ve made it 1-1 on the 15-minute mark. Gordon forced a Danso error, burst into the box down the right and almost squared for an outstretched Joelinton, before Schar let fly from range with a powerful strike that flew over.
Gordon was involved against 90 seconds later. This time it was good work from Murphy, who squared for our No.10. Gordon’s effort was well struck and deflected just wide, resulting in a corner that was cleared.
At the other end, however, it should’ve been 2-0 from the next attack. Targett got it all wrong on half-way and wasn’t strong enough against Tel, who burst clean through on goal before having his one-vs-one effort well blocked by Pope, who did well to stand up to the tricky Dutchman.
At the other end, Burn and Schar made a few key interceptions to cut out Spurs attacks. With Botman managing a slight groin issues
A HUGE chance for Tottenham! 🤯
Nick Pope comes out on top of an incredible one-on-one chance with Mathys Tel 🧤 pic.twitter.com/nYcLtDH5Pg
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) August 3, 2025
We’d been the better side since a slow start, having more of the ball and pushing Spurs back, but the lack of striker was evident again 22 minutes in. Again, it was another nice move, this time Bruno who whipped in a superb ball for big Joe, only for the Brazilian to head a brilliant chance wide after doing well to arrive in the box for the second time in seven minutes.
Then, after a slight lull and period of Spurs pressure, we equalised. Joelinton broke from midfield and Gordon moved it wide to Barnes, who cut inside past Porro and smashed a near-post strike in off the woodwork. 1-1 and a goal that was followed be ‘Local Hero’ blasting out across the Seoul World Cup Stadium!
🏹 Harvey Barnes with a brilliant finish!
⚫️⚪️ Newcastle 1-1 Spurs in Seoul 🇰🇷 #NUFC #THFC
pic.twitter.com/JIZkRdOEe7
— NUFCBlog.co.uk (@NUFCblogcouk) August 3, 2025
We got away with Tel’s one-vs-one, but it was a goal we deserved after largely dominating since Spurs’ fast start, with Howe’s Mags ending the first half with 67% possession.
It could’ve been 2-1 before the break, too. After Bruno and Romero locked horns (and grabbed each other’s throats!) in some off-the-ball antics, Barnes almost scored again after cutting in again, but this effort was blocked
The second half started with another half chance Gordon couldn’t convert, then he did minutes later – only to be denied by the offside flag after firing home Murphy’s cross.
Bruno went down from an awkward slip and didn’t look 100% comfortable after, then it was Archie Gray in the wars after Joelinton smashed into the former Leeds youngster. Next to be flattened by big Joe was half-time sub Djed Spence, with a scrappy start to the second 45 not lacking in physicality!
Howe then made a few changes on the hour mark, with Tino Livramento and Will Osula coming on for Matt Targett and Anthony Gordon; a pair who had contrasting displays at opposite ends of the pitch!
MLS-bound Son Heung-min then came off to a standing ovation, tears and plenty hugs from both sets of players after an incredible stint at Spurs, although from our perspective we were all keen to get a glimpse of our own South Korean star; Seung-soo Park!
We’re not crying, you are 🥹
Heung-Min Son waves goodbye to Tottenham Hotspur after an incredible 10 years with the club 🤍 pic.twitter.com/co4oBSPkQt
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) August 3, 2025
Osula was full of running, with mixed success, but did get Yves Bissouma in the book after bursting past the former Brighton midfielder before being blatantly tripped.
More changes came and they were great to see. Lewis Hall on for his first outing since February, wearing all-black boots and immediately marking his return with a smart interception to cover Burn.
Seung-soo Park also entered the field, seeing the 18-year-old South Korean enter the match moments after Asian superstar Son had departed. If Park can make even half impact on Tyneside that Son had in North London, he’ll be some signing!
Nick Pope also made way, giving Mark Gillespie a rare cameo, while Swede’s Anthony Elanga and Emil Krafth were also introduced alongside Norwegian youngster Travis Hernes, who came on for human battering ram, Joelinton.
Seung-soo made an impact once again. He didn’t see a huge amount of the ball, but was direct and decisive whenever he did. Quick feet and a sharp pass set up Bruno, who fired just over, and the teenager also whipped in a wicked ball that was well cleared.
And that was that. A solid display after a poor start, although it’s clear new signings are needed, with a lack of out-and-out striker evident, our midfield looking light and the lack of pace at centre-back obvious despite steady displays from Burn and Schar.
Pre-season results so far:
Celtic 4-0 Newcastle
Arsenal 3-2 Newcastle (Elanga, Murphy)
K-League XI 1-0 Newcastle
Spurs 1-1 Newcastle (Barnes)
Next up, Espanyol at St James’ Park on Friday, followed by a Sela Cup clash with Atletico Madrid next Saturday in our final pre-season outing before the 2025/26 Premier League season kicks off at Aston Villa on 16th August.
Howay the lads.