Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Newcastle United: Barclays Premier League as it happened
Newcastle close to snatching a second! Ayoze is played through and he takes it away from Alderweireld with a wonderful first touch., He dances inside the Belgian again inside the box but just as he is about to pull the trigger Vertonghen slides across to make a crucial block. Ayoze is shown a yellow card for something he has done in that incident, his studs showing as he slid into shoot? Seems very harsh.
Tottenham denied by a wonderful save from Elliot! It'd s terrific move from Tottenham as Carroll slots a clever ball down the left for Rose who follows it up with a precise cut back across goal to find Lamela. From just inside the box, the Argentina curls one for the far corner but the Newcastle goalkeeper springs across to palm it away.
The past few minutes have been a sloppy phase of play where both sides have conceded possession easily. There is a good battle taking place between Wijnaldum and Walker down that side of the pitch; the Dutchman looks to have the pace to keep up with the full back as well as cause him problems of his own own.
Cisse, get out of the way! De Jong exhanges passes with his strike partner and drops a shoulder inside the box to curl a powerful effort on goal that looks to be going on target. Only problem is Cisse has continued his run across him and is caught flush in the face by the shot, blocking it completely! Great stuff.
Spurs were able to make a handful of changes midweek against Monaco and they have their strong line up on show today that also includes a Premier League debut for Tom Carroll.
As an added boost, Nabil Bentaleb is back among the subs. The 20-year-old has not played since the 0-0 draw against Everton in August, suffering another foot injury while on international duty with Algeria on November, but his league comeback could come today.
BREAKING: Eric Dier starts after recovering from the shin injury suffered against Monaco. Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane return to the starting XI.
Tottenham team to face Newcastle: Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Carroll, Dier; Lamela, Alli, Eriksen; Kane
Subs: Vorm, Davies, Trippier, Bentaleb, Chadli, Onomah, Son
Eric Dier was an injury casualty in that win over Monaco but is expected to recover from that shin problem in time for this afternoon's match. Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen are all expected to return after being rested during Thursday's match while Nabil Bentaleb, who hasn't featured in the league since August, is available again, along with Nacer Chadli.
Newcastle have been beset by injuries recently but have no new concerns to speak of and are expected to name the same team that toppled Liverpool last Sunday.
Thanks to Manchester United's latest capitulation, Tottenham Hotspur have the added incentive this afternoon of knowing that a win over Newcastle United will lift them into the top four. Having not lost since the opening day of the season in the league, it's little more than they deserve. Mauricio Pochettino's side have not always enjoyed their best outings that follow their midweek Europa League matches – the same which can be said for any other team playing on Thursday nights – but a thrilling 4-1 thrashing of Monaco marked by a hat-trick from Erik Lamela should ensure a spring in their step.
The gloom around St Jamses' Park was partially lifted last week when Newcastle United recorded just their third win of the season over Liverpool last week. It wasn't enough to lift the Magpies out of the relegation zone but it was enough to lift the pressure off Steve McClaren.
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