Tottenham Hotspur have endured a disappointing start to their Premier League campaign, losing their opening two fixtures without finding the back of the net. In the latest encounter, Newcastle United emerged victorious with a 2-0 win, thanks to the decisive contributions of Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa. The Spurs side entered the season with a massive summer spending spree, splashing roughly £320 million on eight fresh signings.
Yet, those investments have yet to translate into tangible results for manager Roberto De Zerbi. A week after a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Brentford, the London club were booed off the pitch by a restless home crowd in their first home league match of the season. Even the debut of new forward Omar Marmoush failed to spark the cutting edge that fans have been craving.
De Zerbi’s other marquee acquisition, winger Savio Medeira, who arrived for a reported £75 million, was already sidelined with what the club described as “muscle fatigue.” Meanwhile, former Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali, who departed in a £100 million deal, was mocked by his old supporters as they celebrated their first league win under new boss Matthias Jaissle. The first half saw Tottenham dominate possession and create several promising chances. Newcastle goalkeeper Lucas Horníček was called into action early, making a crucial save from Mathys Tel and later denying Jan Paul van Hecke. However, the breakthrough came midway through the second half when Elanga, who had struggled for consistency last season but had impressed with a goal against Liverpool the previous weekend, found space in the box, struck a shot that ricocheted off the post and ultimately went in, putting the visitors ahead.
De Zerbi responded by introducing three substitutes in an attempt to revive the attack, but the Spurs were unable to muster a meaningful threat. The second goal arrived from another recent signing, Yoane Wissa, who had previously disappointed under Eddie Howe. A corner was delivered by Newcastle substitute Nick Woltemade, who headed the ball into the six‑yard area.
With his back to goal, Wissa managed to hook the ball over his own head and into the net, sealing the win. Key moments from the match include: - 15 minutes: Horníček leapt to his left to parry a curling effort from Tel. - 17 minutes: Defender Hall threw his body in front of a close‑range attempt by Porro, preventing a certain goal. - 38 minutes: Van Hecke rose to meet an in‑swinging corner from Fernandes, only for Horníček to keep the ball out.
- 48 minutes: A potential penalty was appealed after Marmoush challenged Thiaw in the box, but referee Peter Bankes waved it away and VAR upheld the decision. - 62 minutes: Nico Gonzalez delivered a long diagonal pass that was headed down by Dedic for Elanga, who turned and struck the ball into the left post, the ball rebounding in for the opening goal. - 72 minutes: Wissa’s unusual back‑to‑goal header from a corner found the back of the net, doubling Newcastle’s lead. At full‑time, the Tottenham supporters were largely silent, with many fans already leaving the stadium.
Those who remained offered a mixed verdict, but the overall sentiment was one of frustration and disappointment. Roberto De Zerbi, speaking to Sky Sports after the match, said: "For 60‑65 minutes we played better than Newcastle. We had a chance to score but we didn’t. After they scored, we lost distance.
We created more chances and shot more on goal, but we are not a cohesive unit yet. We have to improve a few things. Forget the result, I’m not angry.
We are working well. We were unlucky today, especially with the result." Former player and pundit Jamie Redknapp added his perspective on Saturday Night Football: "There are a lot of new players at Spurs and it will take time.
The manager has a jigsaw puzzle; he needs to figure out how to fit the pieces together, which system to employ, and who the best three midfielders are. There will be teething problems. Senior players like Van de Ven didn’t lead enough today, and the long‑standing squad members can do better." Newcastle manager Matthias Jaissle, also speaking to Sky Sports, expressed pride in his side’s performance: "It was incredible and I’m really proud. As a club and coaching staff we’re delighted to see the team execute the match plan at a high level and the players fully committed.
This is a good start and a moment to enjoy." Sky Sports analyst David Richardson, reporting from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, highlighted the impact of the new signings: "In Elanga and Wissa, it’s like two new players!" he said, echoing Jamie Carragher’s sentiment that the duo are finally showing their quality. Jaissle’s approach appears to be yielding results that Eddie Howe could not achieve with the same assets, and his decision to give midfielder Nico Gonzalez his debut paid immediate dividends, with the pass that set up Elanga’s opener.
Despite the loss, Tottenham fans sang chants about European ambitions, perhaps more in jest than belief, but the optimism underscores the expectation that De Zerbi’s squad will eventually click. Jaissle’s fresh tactics, emphasizing freedom and cohesion, suggest Newcastle could be a serious contender for European spots this season. In summary, the match served as a stark reminder that heavy spending does not guarantee instant success. Tottenham must find a way to integrate their new arrivals, tighten their defensive lapses, and develop a clear identity under De Zerbi.
Meanwhile, Newcastle’s early season momentum, driven by the effective use of their recent signings, positions them as a team to watch as the Premier League unfolds. The broader narrative of the Premier League this year continues to revolve around clubs balancing massive transfer budgets with the need for tactical stability and player chemistry. Both Tottenham and Newcastle exemplify the challenges and opportunities that come with large‑scale investment, and the coming weeks will reveal whether Spurs can turn their fortunes around or if Newcastle will continue to climb the table under Jaissle’s guidance.