Live from The Lane: Newcastle United the best performance of Ange Postecoglou reign at Tottenham
Matthew Chadder is a lifelong Tottenham fan who grew up just down the road from his beloved club in North London. He’s now putting his passion for Spurs into words with a daily fan view for Tottenham News…
Now that is what ‘Ange-ball’ at Tottenham is all about.
When I arrived at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday afternoon it was fair to say that the mood around the ground was not flat, but perhaps a bit cautious. After all, the match with Newcastle United had arrived just days after arguably the worst performance of Ange Postecolgou’s Spurs era so far.
The 2-1 defeat against fierce rivals West Ham United on Thursday night (7 December) was flat, devoid of ideas and at times quite boring to watch. It was a performance that lacked conviction and went against Postecoglou’s entire footballing philosophy.
Everything was the complete opposite against Newcastle United. In truth, I think it could have been five or six for Tottenham had it not been for a few moments of wasteful finishing, but overall, just days after his worst performance as Spurs boss so far, this was the best.
Newcastle are a top team, and this was a statement win, as well as a reminder to the rest of the league that Spurs are certainly still in the mix in and around the top of the Premier League.
Ange has faced a lot of tough questions in recent weeks, but he answered them all here. He is a man who is devoted to sticking to his beliefs, in the good times and the bad, and when those beliefs materialise on the pitch, it is certainly a joy to watch.
The opener was textbook ‘Ange-ball,’ a full-back, on this occasion Destiny Udogie, winning the ball back high up the pitch, playing it out wide and continuing his run. The winger who received the ball, on this occasion Son Heung-min, drove at his full-back and returned the ball to his teammate with a powerful cross. It is everything Ange wants from his players.
As for Richarlison, his sudden rise to form throughout this match certainly just comes as a bonus. It was the most committed and engaged I have seen the Brazilian in a Spurs shirt so far, and it is incredible to see what a goal can do for someone’s confidence.
Had he not scored in the first half, I don’t think he would have finished his opportunity in the second. Pedro Porro’s ball over the top was wonderful, but the composure that Richarlison showed to bring it down with his first touch and finish with his second was unlike anything we have seen from him yet.
If this is a sign of what is to come, Spurs might be able to expect a few more goals from the forward over the coming weeks, especially when James Maddison returns to the team.
Considering Maddison and Micky van de Ven were not available for this one, had they been, it could have been an even more convincing win.
With those two still to return, there is certainly a lot for us Spurs fans to be excited about going forward, and this win was a welcome reminder of that. Onwards and upwards.
In other Tottenham news, Postecoglou was rewarded for the brave call he made during the match against Newcastle after the performance of one 81 per cent ace.