Roberto de Zerbi watched on as his Tottenham team deservedly lost to Newcastle United.
United were the better team the first half hour or so and then Tottenham in the ascendancy for the rest of the opening half.
However, Newcastle United easily the better and more dangerous team in the second half despite playing away from home.
Goals on 62 and 72 minutes winning the game but Roberto de Zerbi and his players very lucky that United didn’t take advantage of some great positions, as they then cut through the Spurs defence at will and could and should have added a couple more.
Roberto de Zerbi and his players were battered by Keith Andrews’ Brentford last week and Tottenham very fortunate to only lose 3-0.
Today it was Matthias Jaissle schooling the Tottenham manager.
Embarrassingly though, Roberto de Zerbi not willing to admit that this was a very deserved victory for Jaissle and United: “We can improve in the defensive phases but today was an unfair result. Disappointed for the result because until the first goal we conceded I think we played better than Newcastle. We lost ball possession in the first half because we didn’t defend in the right way, the distance between the defenders and attackers was too big.”
I think Spurs fans should be very worried, it is one thing losing yet again at home (Tottenham have only won two home Premier League matches in the last 13 months!) but for a manager to not then hold his hands up and be honest, admit the better side won, that is even more concerning.
Roberto de Zerbi: “At the beginning of the second half we had some chance to create the potential chances. We created many chances to score, we have to improve the last decision, because that will make a difference. At the end we are disappointed for the result and our fans. We are working to be a great team. When we become a team I think we can change the story of the last two seasons for Tottenham. We are working to be good on the pitch, if you believe in work and training then you have to improve day by day.”
Photo by Andrew Abrahams via The Mag
After dodging relegation by only one position in the table in both of the last two seasons, Roberto de Zerbi now has Tottenham rock bottom and his team have conceded five EPL goals and not scored a single one. All of this despite the Spurs boss having been backed with an incredible net spend this summer.
Roberto de Zerbi made some feeble excuses after getting hammered by Brentford and now he is at it again following Newcastle United easing to victory.
Roberto de Zerbi claiming: “There is no panic. I know where we are going and what the plan is. I’m sorry for the fans for the result. We have to improve. We have to work hard on the pitch and find the connection between the players.”
If things continue as they are I don’t think the Tottenham owners will let things slip further, having already sacked tow managers in the last seven months it will be interesting to see how long they give this latest hotseat occupant.
Tottenham 0 Newcastle 2 – Saturday 29 August 2026 5.30pm
Match Stats
Goals:
Elanga 62, Wissa 72
Spurs:
Possession was Newcastle 43% Spurs 57%
Total shots were Newcastle 11 Spurs 17
Shots on target were Newcastle 2 Spurs 6
Corners were Newcastle 7 Spurs 9
Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 21 Spurs 32
Newcastle United team v Tottenham:
Hornicek, Dedic, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Lewis Miley, Gonzalez (Steur 71), Elanga (Murphy 82), Barnes (Toure 93), Willock (Woltemade 71), Wissa (Ramsey 82)
Unused subs:
Jaouen, Schar, Bamba, Shahar