Opinion: Five things we learned from Tottenham’s 4-1 win over Newcastle

Tottenham Hotspur turned on the style in N17 this evening as they put four past fellow top-four hopefuls, Newcastle United, including a brace from Richarlison.

Let’s take a look at the five things we learned:

Taking Our Chances –

It sounds strange, but the only difference between the five games where we dropped points and today was that we took our chances in the first half. Against West Ham, Aston Villa, Wolves and Chelsea, Spurs impressed just as much, if not more, in the opening periods. However, in each of those games they went 1-0 up and struggled to find the second. Tonight, we finally put the game beyond our opponents before they could get themselves back into the match.

Richarlison Deserves Credit –

Even without his brace this evening, Richarlison would deserve credit. The Brazilian got through so much running up there and won the ball back time and time again, it was a joy to watch. That kind of selfless pressing brings others into the game and creates dangerous situations, even if he is not always the beneficiary of them. Having said that, a striker’s currency is goals, and Richarlison needed a night like tonight. A brace, both with his feet, just as that stat was doing the rounds that he hadn’t scored a single Tottenham goal with his boot before tonight.

New System Up Front –

It feels like every time Postecoglou finds an exciting new system, someone gets injured and he has to move things around again. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen again, because the front four looked deadly tonight. Heung-min Son moved back out wide left, where he made a name for himself at Spurs, and looked menacing with those driven balls across the face of goal. Two assists from left-wing, what more can you ask for? Richarlison looked more confident as a central striker, Brennan Johnson had his best-ever Spurs game from the right, and Dejan Kulusevski seems to thrive in the middle. Until James Maddison returns, this should be the line-up.

Tottenham’s New Penalty Taker

Now, we can’t say for sure because Maddison is out injured, but Tottenham won their first penalty of the season and Heung-min Son stepped up this evening. More importantly, it was the first penalty since Harry Kane left the club, and those are some big shoes to fill. Despite not having the best career penalty record, Son lashed it into the bottom corner confidently and Spurs fans may now know their next regular taker from the spot.

Pedro Porro Is Different Class

I have been thinking this for months now, but there have been other things to talk about with all the dropped points. Pedro Porro is in incredible form. Not only has he significantly improved his one-vs-one defending, but the Spaniard looks made for the inverted full-back role. Some of the turns he pulls off in the pockets are mesmerising to watch, and he always seems to know exactly where the opponents are and where the space is. Then there is his delivery. That wand of a right foot has been picking people out for weeks now. First, a corner to set up Romero on Thursday, then a delightful chip over the top to Richarlison tonight. Spurs have a very special player on their hands here.

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