EPL 2017/18, Newcastle 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur: 5 Talking Points

#4 Newcastle can take solace in their organisation 11v11

Tottenham were restricted to just two shots on target in the opening 45 minutes

Despite having had to replace two members of his back four, Paul Dummett and Florian Lejeune, due to injury, Benitez would have been the happier of the two managers when the half-time whistle sounded. The ex-Liverpool and Real Madrid head coach had spoken before kick-off of the need to strike a balance between taking the initiative and being susceptible to the counter-attack, and Newcastle did indeed manage to find the right equilibrium in the first period.

Tottenham were restricted to just two shots on target in the opening 45 minutes, and both of those came from outside the penalty area. Granted, Newcastle did not register an effort on target themselves, but Dwight Gayle’s movement and Christian Atsu’s speed had asked questions of the Londoners’ back four.

Benitez has always prided himself on his ability to organise a team and make life difficult for even the most talented of adversaries. This was another case in point, as the Magpies frustrated Tottenham and, despite ceding possession for large periods, held them at arm’s length.

Benitez probably planned to take a slightly more proactive approach in the second half, but Shelvey’s sending-off meant that was no longer possible. Tottenham ultimately took full advantage of the extra man, but there were plenty of positives to draw from Newcastle’s shape and discipline in the first half.