Tottenham outclassed by Newcastle as Champions League hopes dashed – Premier League hits and misses | Soccer Information

Gordon’s ability and Howe’s techniques key

Anthony Gordon was instrumental in Newcastle’s 4-0 win over Tottenham at St James’ Park. It was his energy when urgent that sparked the shift in momentum within the build-up to the opening aim. Future Udogie had the load benefit however was nonetheless outmuscled.

Gordon picked out Alexander Isak with the move, scored the second himself inside two minutes and even offered the cross for Fabian Schar to make it 4 late on. An emphatic win and an emphatic efficiency from the previous Everton winger.

This was the primary time that he has been concerned in three targets in a single Premier League sport and he now has extra aim involvements than anybody in residence matches this season. It needs to be sufficient for Gareth Southgate to take him away to Germany this summer season.

However this Newcastle win owed as a lot to Eddie Howe’s techniques as any particular person performer. It was spectacular how he was capable of nullify Tottenham’s build-up play by way of their inverted full-backs, even altering his personal group’s defensive form to do precisely that.

“Tottenham are distinctive in what they do and we felt we wanted to alter to offer ourselves one of the best probability of what we needed to do. I assumed tactically it labored, it was a extremely good supply from the gamers, they all the time deserve the reward for the execution.”

These gamers, Gordon amongst them, will obtain reward following such a shocking outcome. However this was a giant day for Howe too, his tactical acumen profitable the day.
Adam Bate

Heavy defeat large blow to Spurs’ CL hopes

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou stated forward of his aspect’s conflict with Newcastle that there was “no motive” for him to observe final season’s 6-1 defeat at St James’ Park.

In hindsight, possibly he needs he had.

The heavy defeat again in April – Newcastle have been 5-0 up after 21 minutes – proved to be the top of Spurs bid to qualify for the Champions League final season, and the massive defeat this time round might show simply as damaging to their hopes this yr.

Spurs have been second greatest in each division in opposition to Newcastle as Eddie Howe tactically outthought Postecoglou. The swap to a again 5 labored wonders for the hosts, who countered at will in opposition to a lacklustre Spurs.

The 4-0 scoreline sees Postecoglou’s aspect drop to fifth on aim distinction, with Aston Villa, who face Arsenal reside on Sky Sports activities on Tremendous Sunday, shifting up a spot to fourth with out kicking a ball. And with England’s hopes of pipping Germany within the race for an additional Champions League spot set to go right down to the wire, Spurs Champions League qualification hopes stay firmly within the steadiness.

It would not get any simpler for Spurs. They now should stew till April 28 once they face north London rivals Arsenal, reside on Sky Sports activities earlier than video games in opposition to Chelsea and Liverpool.
Oliver Yew

Doku dazzles with report touches in opposition field

It felt like Jeremy Doku was all over the place for Manchester Metropolis. Doku right here. Doku there.

Metropolis did do loads of attacking in opposition to Luton – because the 393 passes within the ultimate third proves. And Doku was on the coronary heart of the fixed strain in the direction of Thomas Kaminski’s aim. He recorded 23 touches within the Luton field – that is essentially the most of any participant in any sport this season. Two of these actions led to a aim.

First when dancing previous Fred Onyedinma, whose drained legs might now not resist the urge to have a nibble, and Erling Haaland stroked residence the penalty. Doku then grabbed the aim his exhibition of dribbling deserved with a masterful solo effort.

Pep Guardiola had described the Belgian as shy in the course of the early levels of his Manchester Metropolis profession. He is now craving consideration – and defenders do not know methods to cope with his direct and dazzling ft.
Lewis Jones

Muric mistake sums up Burnley’s failings

Earlier than Burnley’s sport with Brighton, assistant supervisor Craig Bellamy vowed his aspect would proceed their approach of enjoying and never change their strategies within the face of relegation. Come full-time, he could also be rueing these phrases.

Burnley, with their possession-based type of play regardless of having an inferior-quality enjoying squad in comparison with most, have been too good this season by way of their lack of ruthlessness and easiness to play in opposition to.

However then there was hope. Josh Brownhill’s opener in opposition to Brighton briefly put them 4 factors away from security with a giant sport away at Sheffield United to return subsequent week. Survival was nonetheless unbelievable however the nice escape was very a lot on.

Then got here Muric’s mistake – a pricey lack of focus from a secure back-pass – and that hope was gone.

Whereas it was a pricey particular person error, Burnley’s approach of enjoying was partly accountable – Muric made 94 touches in opposition to Brighton, essentially the most by a Premier League goalkeeper within the final eight seasons.

Sure, Muric ought to do so much higher within the second, however making an attempt to play out the again with 10 minutes to go in a must-win sport is a part of the method at Turf Moor – when it should not e.

This lack of streetwise angle is why Burnley are more likely to be within the Championship subsequent season.
Sam Blitz

Will Frank begin to use Toney sparingly even when match?

I Am Maximus romped to victory within the Grand Nationwide, and whereas Brentford would ultimately win right here at a canter, they did so with out their very own gladiator. Ivan Toney remained within the secure, an unused substitute.

Having solely been known as upon in opposition to Aston Villa final weekend after Ollie Watkins’ late equaliser, you start to marvel simply how far more will we see of Toney in a purple and white shirt.

Injured or not, Thomas Frank is aware of he has to start out getting ready his gamers for all times with out their talisman. Frank’s assault was nonetheless not fairly at full throttle, however right here they nonetheless carried greater than sufficient efficiency to increase Sheffield United’s abysmal away report.

The Blades, nonetheless with out a clear sheet on the street, have been unable to capitalise on Toney’s absence.

The striker is on his lengthiest Premier League aim drought, having amassed 21 photographs and 36 touches within the opposition field throughout seven consecutive begins previous to his omission at Villa Park.

“Ivan Toney was unwell in the course of the week, and his hip damage remains to be not good,” Frank stated afterwards. “Now we’ve time to get him prepared for Luton and I am satisfied he might be prepared.”

No Toney, no drawback for Brentford? Not fairly, but when he’s to be bought as anticipated this summer season, the return of Kevin Schade to health alongside Bryan Mbeumo means it will be good administration to make use of him sparingly within the remaining video games – no matter his health.
Ben Grounds

Cunha makes welcome return for Wolves

How Wolves have missed Matheus Cunha. The Brazilian was injured early on in opposition to Brentford in February, having scored twice within the win over Chelsea within the earlier match. He delivered one other two targets on his return to the beginning line-up at Nottingham Forest.

The primary of these targets was a advantageous instance of what he brings that others can not. A strong run from deep, a sensible flip to elude the defender and an emphatic end. His second was an atypical poacher’s effort to take his Premier League whole for the season to 11.

It was not sufficient to win the sport for Wolves. Cunha was withdrawn with the sport within the steadiness, a nod to the truth that he’s nonetheless forward of schedule – the preliminary prognosis for his muscle damage was that he ought to nonetheless be on the therapy desk, not the pitch.

Gary O’Neil should still be questioning what might need been had he felt capable of name upon Cunha for the FA Cup quarter-final in opposition to Coventry when teenager Nathan Fraser was requested to steer the road as an alternative. With Cunha again, Wolves are all the time capable of pose a menace.
Adam Bate

Gibbs-White grit provides Forest a combating probability

Grudge and grievance bubbled beneath the floor. How Nottingham Forest would have liked to get the higher of their Midlands neighbours in league competitors for the primary time since 2018.

Morgan Gibbs-White taunted the Wolves followers that used to applaud him after scoring his fifth league aim of the marketing campaign. Had Forest gone on to win the sport, clawing themselves three factors away from the drop zone, your complete episode would have been justified.

However goading his former employers was maybe a bit ill-advised given what truly transpired 5 minutes later – a Matheus Cunha equaliser. Gibbs-White does, nevertheless, stay key to Forests’ survival hopes and their future is crucially in their very own palms.

The significance positioned on upcoming video games in opposition to Everton, Sheffield United and Burnley is growing by the week. 5 video games to rescue a season.

Forest have battle, that is for certain. However have they got sufficient high quality, consistency and nerve to face up in video games in opposition to direct relegation rivals, with the results so grave? Not so certain.
Laura Hunter

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