Tottenham play host to Newcastle looking to close the ever gap ever further on second placed Man City.
Following City’s defeat to Newcastle on Tuesday, Tottenham are now only two points behind second placed City and seven behind leaders Liverpool. Tottenham scored two late goals in a comeback win over Watford last time out and their 54 points is at least four more than they have ever had at this stage of the season in the Premier League.
The visitors come into the game off of the back of a superb victory against Manchester City at St James’ Park, goals from Salomon Rondon and Matt Ritchie giving them their first league win against the reigning Premier League champions since September 2005. After manager Rafa Benitez’s delivered a threat to leave the club earlier this week if signings weren’t made before the end of the transfer window, the surprise result and the club record signing of Miguel Almiron to come, along with other potential transfers, the signs are that things are beginning to look up on Tyneside. Follow the latest below.
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36 mins: Spurs 0 – 0 Newcastle
Vertonghen wins a corner as the ball goes out off Yedlin. Lamela kicks it into the centre of the box and Sanchez wins the header but puts it over the bar.
33 mins: Spurs 0 – 0 Newcastle
Newcastle have come alive in attack. Ritchie again puts a ball into the box from the left. It’s long and finds Yedlin on the far post. Yedlin puts the ball back across goal and Alderweireld heads it clear.
30 mins: Spurs 0 – 0 Newcastle
Newcastle have a chance to score. Perez puts the ball out wide to Ritchie who is storming down the left. Ritchie puts the ball into the box, Atsu flicks it on into Perez’s path, he shoots and is denied, the ball falls to Rondon who shoots and gets his shot blocked. Newcastle get a corner and Alderweireld heads it away but Tottenham have to scramble to stop it coming back into the box.
27 mins: Spurs 0 – 0 Newcastle
Spurs look more lively now, Trippier gets a ball into the box from the right but it sails through, Vertonghen collects and whips one in from the left. Newcastle clear it away and break trying to find Perez but Alderweireld is quick across the ground and he wins the footrace, clearing the ball away.
24 mins: Spurs 0 – 0 Newcastle
Newcastle break quickly with Atsu who sends it forward to Rondon. Rondon tussles with Sanchez and wins a throw in. Spurs reorganise and win back the ball, Vertonghen brings in down the left and whips it into the box. It Lamela ducks his head to get to the ball and heads it onto the crossbar!
21 mins: Spurs 0 – 0 Newcastle
Newcastle have nine men behind the ball and Tottenham are finding it difficult to break them down. Their crosses are cleared and they haven’t been able to make many runs into the box.
18 mins: Spurs 0 – 0 Newcastle
What a chance! Eriksen puts a free kick into the box but Yedlin heads it Lamela. Lamela spies a run from Lucas Moura in behind the defence and he puts a great pass into the box over the heads of the defenders. Moura is onside and gets a free header but he pus it wide of goal. Spurs should be one up!
15 mins: Spurs 0 – 0 Newcastle
Hayden makes a good tackle in the box to stop Eriksen advancing with the ball. Spurs win it back though and they come at Newcastle again. The visitors are being made to work hard in defence so far, Lejeune puts the ball out for a Spurs throw in.
12 mins: Spurs 0 – 0 Newcastle
Longstaff fires the ball long as he’s put under pressure but Rondon collects it. Newcastle find a way down Tottenham’s left wing and Atsu puts the ball into the box but Alderweireld gets it clear.
9 mins: Spurs 0 – 0 Newcastle
Newcastle win a free kick just past the halfway line. It’s played short then hit forward, Tottenham win the ball and break on the counter but Newcastle recover to put the ball out for a throw.
Spurs attack again, this time they probe from the right with Trippier and Sissoko combining well. Sissoko puts the ball into the box but Dubravka gets it once again.
6 mins: Spurs 0 – 0 Newcastle
Newcastle play the ball out to Matt Ritchie at left back. He boots the ball long up-field searching for Atsu but the Newcastle forward is offside.
3 mins: Spurs 0 – 0 Newcastle
Son does some fancy footwork out on the wide left, he gives the ball to Vertonghen to get it into the box but Newcastle hold strong and deflect the ball back out to Soon. Son runs with it to the byline before squaring it across goal but Dubravka grabs hold of the ball.
KICK OFF
Spurs 0 – 0 Newcastle
Tottenham start the match, they work the ball calmly around the back before sending it long, Newcastle return the favour as they clear it out of their half and then press forward.
Jan Vertonghen makes his 200th Premier League appearance today. What kind of impact will he have on Tottenham’s title chances?
The players are out on the Wembley pitch going through their warm ups.
The newest one includes dodging ice and snow that’s falling off the Wembley roof.
Oh and it’s Harry Winks’ birthday!
Spurs are again without captain and star striker Harry Kane after he injured his ankle against Manchester United on 13th January.
However manager Mauricio Pochettino is happy with how Kane is recovering but does not know when the striker will be back.
He said: “I cannot tell you if he is ahead of schedule or not. We assess him day-by-day.
“He is showing on his social media that he looks strong and very fit and very well, running and doing exercises.
“You know him very well, he is very strong and is a guy that puts 200% in to be back as soon as possible.
“He’s determined to try and recover as soon as possible and be available as soon as possible. We will see, we need to assess day-by-day, week-by-week but we are happy with how he is recovering.”
Following the mid-week games, where Liverpool and Manchester City both dropped points, Tottenham find themselves back in the title race.
They’re only two points behind City and seven behind Liverpool. A win today would send them into second place, at least until Man City face Arsenal tomorrow.
As for Newcastle they’ve had a good week. They came from behind to beat Man City 2-1 on Tuesday and made their record signing in Miguel Almiron on deadline day.
Can they ride their high to earn a result against Tottenham today?
Tottenham vs Newcastle
Team news
Spurs make three changes to the starting line up that lined up against Watford. Serge Aurier, Danny Rose and Fernando Llorente drop out as Kieran Trippier, Erik Lamela and Lucas Moura come in.
Newcastle name an unchanged side to the team that beat Manchester City during the week. New signing Antonio Barreca is on the bench but record signing Miguel Almiron is unavailable due to visa issues.
Tottenham vs Newcastle
Team news
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of Tottenham Hotspur vs Newcastle United in the Premier League.
Kick-off is at 12.30 and we will be bringing you the latest team news in around ten minutes.
Match preview
What time does it start?
Tottenham vs Newcastle kicks off at 12.30pm on Saturday February 2.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Premier League from 11.30am. Highlights will be shown on Match of the Day at 10.30pm on BBC One.
It’s a big game for…
Fernando Llorente: Spurs’ back up man in attack has had his ability and suitability questioned lately due to his struggles to provide adequate cover for the injured Harry Kane. With a goal and an assist in their win over Watford, however, he will be looking to maintain some form and prove his critics wrong.
Weird stat…
28: Tottenham are equal with Bolton for most consecutive matches without a draw in the Premier League with 28 (W21 L7)
Remember when…
Tottenham were stunned 5-1 by already relegated Newcastle at St James’ Park in 2016.
Player to watch…
Salomon Rondon: Newcastle target man Rondon scored against City last time out and is a constant nuisance in opposing boxes.
Past three-meetings…
- Newcastle 1 (Joselu) Tottenham 2 (Vertonghen, Alli), Premier League, August 2018
- Tottenham 1 (Kane) Newcastle 0, Premier League, May 2018
- Newcastle 0 Tottenham 2 (Alli, Davies), Premier League, August 2017
Form guide…
- Tottenham: WLWLLW
- Newcastle: DLWWLW
Odds…
Tottenham to win: 2/5
Newcastle to win: 15/4
Draw: 8/1
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