3 Positives and 3 Negatives to take from Newcastle 2 Spurs 0 | OneFootball

It ended Newcastle 2 Spurs 0.

Ahead of each game we ask one of our writers to come up with three positives and three negatives following the match.

An interesting game at St James’ Park…

Plenty to talk about after this one.

On this occasion it is David Punton:

POSITIVES

Genuine depth

Eight changes from Eddie Howe and we won at a canter.

It was like a training session at times. You always felt we had an extra gear to go up if it was needed.

All of a sudden we really do look so much stronger in terms of the depth of the squad and this game was evidence of that.

Building blocks have gone in over the summer and it’s bearing fruit.

Cup of joy

It’s easy to take for granted that we won the League Cup last March. Has it sunk in yet?

The defence of our crown now enters the quarter-final stage with a home game against Fulham.

This is great progress, given that it’s always harder as the holders to do it all again the following season.

Top performances

You have to credit the manager because he’s coaxed some great performances from the players after a slow start to the season.

Sandro Tonali was everywhere. What a player. Controls games. Makes it look easy when it’s not.

Nick Woltemade now has six goals in all competitions. He’s a fan favourite already. A blend of sublime skill and physical presence up front with his 6ft 6in frame. His close control defies belief.

Malick Thiaw underlined what a great bit of business that was. First name on the team sheet on current evidence.

Dan Burn barely put a foot wrong and got forward too.

It was nice to see Joe Willock having a better game too. It’s about time. An assist for the all important second goal will have done him the world of good.

Finally, the back up provided by Aaron Ramsdale showed another area of depth. Ramsdale did well. He made some really impressive stops.

NEGATIVES

All tied up

Thomas Frank has form for whinging on recent visits to SJP.

It continued here as the new manager of Spurs.

He’s a decent manager but he’s made far too much of the bootlaces incident with Spence on that first goal.

I can recall PE lessons at school in the he early 1990s getting told off for tying my laces while the other team had a set-piece.

Switching off in that way was Spurs problem, not United’s.

In the minority

I’m in a minority here, but all I’ll say is that while I love Joelinton to bits, I reckon he just needs to be careful not to overdo the tackling too much.

Yes, go in strong, but not so much that gets himself a silly red card.

Hopeless ref

Not a great game from Lancashire’s Chris Kavanagh. Not too keen on him.

He probably should have sent Kudus off but didn’t do so. You wonder if he bottled the second yellow that should have been given.

Newcastle 2 Spurs 0 – Wednesday 29 October 2025 8pm

Match Stats

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Schar 24, Woltemade 50

Spurs:

Possession was Newcastle 47% Spurs 53%

Total shots were Newcastle 10 Spurs 11

Shots on target were Newcastle 3 Spurs 6

Corners were Newcastle 7 Spurs 2

Touches in the box Newcastle 29 Spurs 19

Ramsdale, Schar, Tonali, Barnes, Thiaw, Krafth (Trippier 72), Elanga (Gordon 89), Woltemade (Osula 71), Willock (Joelinton 71), Burn, Ramsey (Bruno 80)

Subs: