Jan Vertonghen says Tottenham “have to learn how to kill games” – but he is confident Sunday’s home defeat against Newcastle was a one-off and that the Lilywhites can start another unbeaten run.
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Vertonghen was left equally frustrated by a young Tottenham team’s inability to convert chances – and their openness at the back as they chased a second goal.
Mitrovic had been an unused sub in the previous two matches – a defeat to Crystal Palace and a win against Liverpool – and admitted he was fuming at being snubbed again by boss Steve McClaren. “We asked them to win the game and that’s what they did”, he said.
Tactically McClaren was spot on during the match, his decision to replace Siem de Jong and Papiss Cisse respectively with Mitrovic and Perez, meant that Newcastle could have a more unsafe attacking flair.
“In the Premier League there are many rotations and I respect that, what I have to do is try to take the minutes I have”. When I was on the bench, I worked harder. And I respect the coach, so I didn’t say anything and I waited for my moment – and it came against Tottenham.
“I scored against Man City and against Norwich and it is the best feeling when you score and when you win in the last minute”.
“We came here with a game plan to be compact and it looked to be working until we conceded”.
Speaking about his own performance, Elliot said: “With the result it seems a lot more important”.
“This could prove to be a very special moment for us in the season to strike back against such a team”.
“In the first half we played very well and we could have been two or three up, their goalkeeper made a lot of good saves”.
“And when the ball fell to Ayo he was able to win the game for us – that was a massive bonus”. We’ve not won back-to-back games for over a year, we’ve not had a comeback win for about a year, so to do it was huge.
“I believe he is at the top of his game and he is questioned sometimes”, Wenger said.
“We were trying to get a second goal but Newcastle had the better chances”.
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“We changed our mentality”. “At 1-0 up you give the opposition the opportunity to come back into the game”. After all, this time last season Pochettino’s side had already lost four home games in the league – against Liverpool, West Brom, Newcastle and Stoke – while this was their first of the campaign. We have talented players and they know how to win. “After the first half we were happy but in the second half it was not the same, it was a bad night for us”. That’s what we want to be.’ We want to be this every week.
