Premier League

TOTTENHAM 1 (Kane 54)
NEWCASTLE 2 (Wilson 31, Almiron 40)

PATIENCE is a virtue never found in great abundance when it comes to football.

You are only as good as your last result – but Antonio Conte sent out a calming message to fans after watching his team lose their 100 per cent home record in comical fashion to a well organised and physical Newcastle team this evening (Sunday).

Two first half goals by Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron sealed the win for the Magpies, and while Spurs replied in the second half through Harry Kane, they were unable to conjure up the wit to get an equaliser.

Speaking after the game, Conte said he felt playing every three days was a gruelling test for his squad. He added: “There is big disappointment. We started very well, and the Newcastle goalkeeper made three amazing saves.

“Instead, they send a long ball and we conceded a goal. I don’t want to question the referee’s decision – I will leave that to other people. I have to try and find a way to improve.”

Conte had the right to feel somewhat aggrieved for Newcastle’s opener, which was against the run of play. Wilson found the back of net with an excellent lob from outside the box after colliding with Hugo Lloris. A lengthy VAR check took place – assessing a foul on Lloris and handball – before the goal was allowed to stand.

For Newcastle’s second, Lloris was again at fault as a poor clearance was intercepted by Sean Longstaff before Almiron skipped past challenges and fired under the Spurs keeper for his fifth goal in five league games.

It was Tottenham, however, who had started the brighter, almost scoring after just 45 seconds. Heung-Min Son broke clear and tested Nick Pope – the Newcastle keeper grateful that Son’s effort was at a good height.

It was the first of four good efforts by Son in the opening 10 minutes, the last of which the striker really should have finished. Played clear by Kane, Son got into the box but his attempt to lift the ball over Pope was weak and all too easily defended.

Newcastle then took control of the match with two goals inside 10 minutes. Although Tottenham did manage to drag themselves back into the game early in the second half when Kane stooped low at the back post to head home.

Spurs pushed but lost their shape as Conte tried to find a combination to make things work. But Newcastle, whose win takes them into the top four, did all they could to run the clock down and disrupt Tottenham’s attempts to build-up any rhythm.

Instead of Kane’s goal setting up a grand stand finale, Newcastle made sure Spurs were huffing and puffing but blowing nothing down with their efforts. In the end it was the Geordie fans that had plenty to celebrate as they embarked in the long journey up the A1 with three important away points.

Tottenham: Lloris, Sanchez (Doherty, 80), Dier, Lenglet (Davies 80), Royal, Skipp (Moura, 66), Bissouma, Bentancur, Sessegnon (Perisic, 61), Son, Kane
Substitutes not used: Forster, Gil, Spence, Tanganga, White

Newcastle: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn, Longstaff, Guimaraes (Shelvey, 87), Willock (Murphy, 74), Amiron, Joelinton, Wilson (Wood, 87)
Substitutes not used: Karius, Lascelles, Lewis, Targett, Manquillo, Fraser