Rampant Tottenham Hotspur go fourth in 5-1 win vs Newcastle

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 03: Matt Doherty of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates with teammates Dejan Kulusevski, Harry Kane Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, and Rodrigo Bentancur after scoring their side’s second goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 03, 2022, in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Tottenham was in control from the off, but it took a Newcastle goal to open the scoring, which Spurs had no issue doing in a runaway 5-1 victory over Newcastle to move into fourth place in the Premier League.

The game was going as many Tottenham Hotspur games have gone in this situation. Spurs were dominating possession but were unable to find the opener. Almost as if on queue, a silly foul by Son gave Newcastle a free-kick which turned into the opening goal as Spurs went down 0-1 just before the clock hit 40 minutes.

This Spurs side is something different, however, having drawn level with the Magpies before the half and never looking back, as a rampant Tottenham team cruised to a 5-1 win, moving above Arsenal into fourth – at least temporarily.

Spurs give up the unfortunate opener

Everything about Newcastle’s goal was preventable from a Tottenham Hotspur perspective. On the foul, Joe Willock had a poor touch as he opened up on a square ball coming into him from the right, meaning Son did not have to make a challenge. Even saying Son made a challenge is questionable as he stuck out a half-hearted leg.

The leg was enough as Willock went down on contact giving Newcastle the free-kick.

The free-kick was decent enough from Fabian Schar, but it was a shot that Hugo Lloris should have saved. Any keeper worth their salt will tell you that you should save it if you get a hand on it. Lloris got an arm on the ball, but it still went into the net. As VAR reviewed for a possible touch on the way through, Lloris was talking to himself, upset about conceding.

As it turned out, that goal was just what Tottenham needed to open the game and take over, as Spurs scored five unanswered in what became a rout.