Newcastle United put a dismal run of three consecutive losses behind them on Tuesday night, grinding out a significant 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in North London.
Eddie Howe’s tactical shifts paid dividends as the Magpies displayed the clinical edge and defensive grit required to overcome a Spurs side still searching for their first league win of 2026.
Newcastle United Player Ratings
Nick Pope – 6
For the vast majority of the first half, the goalkeeper was a mere observer as the action stayed at the opposite end. He was finally tested early in the second period, showing sharp reflexes to parry away a dangerous strike from Pape Matar Sarr to maintain the Magpies’ lead at the time.
Kieran Trippier – 7
The veteran full-back looked much more like his old self, providing a composed presence on the right flank. He combined well with the midfield to launch several dangerous attacks and didn’t shy away from the physical side of the game, putting in a much-improved shift.
Malick Thiaw – 8
A dominant performance from the center-back, who was as effective in the opposition box as he was in his own. After reading the game expertly for 45 minutes, he broke the deadlock by reacting quickest to a rebound from his own header to notch his fourth goal of the campaign.
Sven Botman – 8
Botman was the epitome of calm at the heart of the defense. He produced a series of crucial blocks and interceptions to frustrate the Spurs attackers and showcased his elite vision with pinpoint distribution from the back, including a goal-saving challenge just before the interval.
Dan Burn – 6
Returning to the starting eleven in a left-back role, Burn used his physicality to keep the Spurs wingers at bay. While he sometimes looked a yard short of pace when isolated, his defensive intuition and a handful of well-timed tackles justified his selection, despite a yellow card.
Bruno Guimaraes – 7
The Brazilian was the heartbeat of Newcastle’s midfield, seeing plenty of the ball and dictating the tempo of the game. He provided the necessary steel to help the visitors control the central battle, though his night ended prematurely after picking up a knock in the closing stages.
Joe Willock – 7
Willock was a constant threat, nearly opening the scoring with a long-range effort early on. He thought he had scored a spectacular goal right before half-time only for VAR to rule it out, but he quickly made amends by providing the delivery that led to Thiaw’s opener. He faded slightly as the game wore on, losing some of his trademark precision.
Jacob Ramsey – 8
A standout performance from the young midfielder, who was relentless in his pursuit of a goal. After several close calls and deflections, he finally got his reward by starting and finishing a slick attacking move to restore Newcastle’s lead. It was a deserved milestone for his first goal in black and white.
Anthony Elanga – 7
Elanga provided much-needed width and pace in the first half, peppering the box with several dangerous crosses that deserved better results. While he was a lively outlet during Newcastle’s periods of dominance, his influence on the game diminished during the second-half scrap.
Harvey Barnes – 6
Barnes had a few opportunities to get on the scoresheet, notably forcing a save from Vicario, but he struggled to find his usual clinical touch. While he worked hard to support the defense when Spurs pushed forward, he was occasionally untidy with his passing in key areas.
Anthony Gordon – 7
Returning from a hamstring injury to lead the line, Gordon grew into the contest after a quiet first half. He proved his value by providing the decisive assist for Ramsey’s winner and nearly added a goal of his own with a powerful long-range effort shortly after.
SUBS: Jacob Murphy (5), Lewis Hall (4), Nick Woltemade (N/A), Yoane Wissa (N/A), Lewis Miley (N/A).