Newcastle United couldn’t have a worse start to their Premier League journey. After making all the arrangements after their excellent last campaign, the Magpies lost 2-0 to Tottenham Hotspur in their opening match.
The matter turned out even more frustrating as the Newcastle captain got the marching order for an illegitimate foul on Dele Alli. The skipper left the ground and Spurs embraced this opportunity with both hands as they piled on more misery on Rafa Benitez.
There has been a large suffocation regarding owner Mike Ashley’s attitude in the transfer market. Gaffer Benitez was promised he would be getting sufficient funds but a few days earlier, the owner has made his intentions clear of how he is unable to inject more money into the team.
Spurs started the match with a point of intent and the result said it all. Dele Alli maintained his form as he opened the scoring for the North Londoners and Ben Davies sealed it with a very lovely finish. Here are three talking points from this game:
Benitez, You Have To Spend Money
Newcastle lost two influential players as Paul Dummett and Florian Lejeune both had to be subbed off following their injuries. United are pretty solid in the defensive department but the other department needs strengthening.
Benitez needs to understand Championship and Premier league are a completely different ball game and if he wants to be in the race, he has to spend. Dwight Gayle had a spirited campaign last year as his goals proved to play a pivotal role in their promotional campaign last year.
But the Magpies lack severely in the forward department and keeping in mind Gayles’s frequent injury concern,s Benitez is going to have a tough time.
A Number of Positives
Newcastle Kept themselves pretty tight in the entire first half as they were successful in keeping the Spurs attackers at bay. But after the departure of Shelvey, the momentum shifted and floodgates were opened.
Christian Atsu gave the Spurs defender a run for their own money. There has been very little said about his ability but in the first half, the Ghanaian winger was the most dangerous player who looked pretty confident with his darting runs and skills.
Jonjo Shelvey- the self-destructor
Benitez said Shelvey apologized for his wrong doings but that wouldn’t be enough for a player of his stature. Shelvey had his disciplinal problem throughout his career and Benitez needs to reconsider his decision to hand out the captaincy to this midfielder.
