Sat 26 September 2020, 10:00
Tottenham HotspurNewcastle United are next up at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as we return to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon (2pm kick-off).
In this ‘Then and Now’ feature here on tottenhamhotspur.com, we’ll dip into the archives to take a look back at our previous outings against the Tynesiders before analysing all the key information and statistics ahead of our upcoming encounter, as well as the pre-match views from our opposition.
Spurs v Newcastle - Then
One of the Premier League’s most-seasoned outfits, we have faced visitors Newcastle United 50 times in the league since its inception in 1992 – and there is not much to separate the two teams.
Against no other team have we experienced such parity with both clubs winning 22 times each in the Premier League, with only six draws. Only one of those draws has come in north London; that was almost 25 years ago when Chris Armstrong opened the scoring for us before future Spurs winger David Ginola equalised for the men in black and white stripes. That season, the Magpies finished as runners-up in the league, missing out on the title by just four points.
In those meetings, 150 goals have been scored between the sides with both teams having supplied exactly 75 each. We've only seen more goals in matches against Arsenal (159), Chelsea (157) and Liverpool (159) in the Premier League.
Yet, despite the fixture recording the fourth-highest amount of goals, it is surprising that just three of those goals have come from the penalty spot. In total, seven penalties have been awarded in 50 meetings between the sides. Our last came in 2011 in one of the six draws between the teams - Rafael van der Vaart converted from the spot in a 2-2 draw in the October at St James’ Park.
Our most recent meeting with the Magpies came in July as we took all three points in the north east - Heung-Min Son's strike and a Harry Kane double sealing a 3-1 win.
Here are our most recent results against Newcastle United…
15 July, 2020 – Newcastle United 1-3 Spurs – Premier League
25 August, 2019 - Spurs 0-1 Newcastle United – Premier League
2 February, 2019 – Spurs 1-0 Newcastle United – Premier League – game played at Wembley Stadium
11 August, 2018 – Newcastle United 1-2 Spurs - Premier League
9 May, 2018 – Spurs 1-0 Newcastle United – Premier League – game played at Wembley Stadium
Spurs v Newcastle - Now
Newcastle will arrive in north London having had a mixed bag of results so far this season. They started by defeating West Ham 2-0 on the opening day with goals from new boys Callum Wilson and Jeff Hendrick, and followed that up with a 1-0 victory over Championship outfit Blackburn Rovers in the League Cup second round. Again, it was another summer signing on the scoresheet as Ryan Fraser bagged the winner.
The only blot on Steve Bruce’s copybook so far this term came last Saturday, however, as as they fell to a 3-0 defeat at home to Brighton in the Premier League. They make the trip to N17 on the back of a much more positive outing though, as on Wednesday night they recorded their biggest-ever away victory as they put seven past Morecambe without reply in the Carabao Cup.
Jacob Murphy impressed with a goal and assist that night. Having spent the last 18 months away from Tyneside with loan spells at Championship outfits West Brom and Sheffield Wednesday, Murphy is hoping his recent showing can help him force his way into Bruce’s plans.
“That was my aim, to get into the thinking for Spurs on Sunday,” the Newcastle winger explained following his man-of-the-match performance against Morecambe. "That is the manager's decision and I have to do performances like that to get into his mind. I want to keep getting opportunities to play for this club. I have developed my game.”
That was my aim, to get into the thinking for Spurs on Sunday. I want to keep getting opportunities to play for this club. I have developed my game
We’ll be looking to build on our impressive second-half showing in last Sunday’s 5-2 Premier League win over Southampton.
Opening the scoring just before the break, Heung-Min Son scored a further three in the second period, before Harry Kane also found the target at St Mary’s. The in-form attacking duo were also amongst the goals on Thursday night, scoring one each, as we defeated KF Skhëndija 3-1, to extend our winning run to three. Our last four goals against the Magpies have all been scored by either Sonny or Harry.
Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho's record against visiting manager Steve Bruce is exemplary, having never lost to his counterpart in 11 meetings (P11, W9, D2). Yet, speaking ahead of the game, our Head Coach knows we will have a fight on our hands, especially with games continuing behind closed doors.
“They are going to be difficult (opponents),” Jose discussed. “They had a fantastic first Premier League fixture, a great victory away to West Ham, playing well. They lost against Brighton, but they are a team capable of hurting you. That’s the Premier League.
“In the Premier League this season, I think you will have many of these unexpected results. With no fans, it makes the home/away factor not so important. The team that plays away probably feels more comfortable to fight for the points. So, it’s going to be difficult.”
