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Premier League | Gameweek 25
Feb 2, 2019 at 12.30pm UK
 
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Heung-min (83')
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Live Commentary: Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Newcastle United - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live text coverage of Tottenham Hotspur's 1-0 win over Newcastle United, as Son Heung-min was again the late hero for Spurs.
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Tottenham Hotspur moved up to second place in the Premier League with a 1-0 win over Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon, earned through a late Son Heung-min strike.

Son found a way through in the final 10 minutes with a shot that proved too hot for Martin Dubravka to handle in the visiting goal.

Spurs had earlier hit the crossbar and also had an effort cleared off the line, while Newcastle came close through Solomon Rondon's header against the post.

Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.


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Welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Premier League meeting between Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium. Newcastle stunned champions Manchester City with a 2-1 win on home soil earlier this week and are now looking for a second big scalp in succession against third-placed Tottenham, who can move up a spot with victory in this early kickoff.

TOTTENHAM TEAM NEWS!

STARTING XI: Lloris; Trippier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen; Eriksen, Winks, Sissoko; Lamela, Son, Lucas

SUBS: Gazzaniga, Rose, Wanyama, Dier, Walker-Peters, Llorente, Foyth


NEWCASTLE TEAM NEWS!

STARTING XI: Dubravka; Yedlin, Lejeune, Schar, Lascelles, Ritchie; Perez, Hayden, Longstaff, Atsu; Rondon

SUBS: Woodman, Clark, Kenedy, Fernandez, Manquillo, Joselu, Barreca


KICKOFF:  Newcastle stick with the same XI that pulled off the shock 2-1 win over Man City in midweek, while Spurs show three changes from their victory by the same scoreline against Watford - Llorente, despite scoring two goals in four games, drops to the bench.

Vertonghen is being used at left-back by Mauricio Pochettino today but the system is otherwise unchanged, with Lucas and Lamela starting either side of Son. Newcastle, as expected, have gone with five across the back which worked against the Citizens.

Newcastle's tactics are clear to see right from the off, as they get men behind the ball and look to ping it up to Rondon when possession is turned over. Club-record signing Miguel Almiron is not eligible today as he has yet to receive a work permit.

Trippier, given the nod over Aurier today, bursts down the right but Sissoko - formerly of Newcastle - is unable to pick out his teammate. Tottenham are the side on top early on but they have been unable to break down their opponents thus far.

Sissoko curls the ball into the box but it is a comfortable one for Dubravka to deal with, getting down to collect the ball with both hands. Newcastle have not really looked interested in attacking in the first nine minutes at Wembley.

Longstaff, who has looked very impressive since earning a place in the first team last month, links up well with Rondon as Newcastle attempt to put together a rare attacking move. Some good covering from Sanchez prevents Atsu from getting in behind.

It has been a very slow start to the match at Wembley. Neither side has yet to create anything of note and we are still awaiting the first shot - on target or otherwise. Newcastle are standing firm at the back but they have a long way to go yet.

Ritchie appears to be the weak link for Newcastle, and Spurs are now looking to target him. A quick give-and-go nearly sets Eriksen free, but Hayden produces a good tackle. A couple of signs that Tottenham are starting to build momentum.

CHANCE!  The first big opportunity of the match falls to Lucas. Lamela digs the ball towards the edge of the six-yard box, where the Brazilian - kept onside by Schar - had a free header, but he guided it wide of the target. A let-off for the Magpies.

Benitez's name is being chanted loudly by the travelling Newcastle supporters. Owner Mike Ashley is also in attendance at the national stadium today - he is becoming a more regular viewer of United matches in recent weeks.

Tottenham have seen 72% of the ball in the opening quarter of the match, but they have not really done enough with it in the final third. Spurs have been stuck in first gear, though Lucas did squander a massive chance a few minutes ago.

Sissoko attempts another through-ball from deep, which is easily cut out. Cannot recall Newcastle mounting a serious attacking move of note in the first 23 minutes of the game. Pochettino will not be concerned just yet - still plenty of minutes to play.

OFF THE BAR!  Tottenham's pressure is starting to tell now. Makeshift left-back Vertonghen sends in a bouncing cross, which Lamela manages to turn goalwards with his head - the crossbar comes to Newcastle's rescue. Trippier plays the ball back into the middle but Lucas heads over from further out.

Tottenham's Erik Lamela hits the bar during the Premier League clash with Newcastle on February 2, 2019© Reuters


Lamela delays his pass and when Lucas bursts through the offside rightly goes up. Vertonghen sends in another impressive cross from the left, which a Newcastle player gets to before Lucas. Tottenham really are dominating now.

Erik Lamela tries to break clear in Tottenham Hotspur's Premier League meeting with Newcastle United on February 2, 2019© Reuters


Newcastle have managed to hold off Tottenham for the last few minutes. The Lilywhites have dominated and come close on a couple of occasions, but with just short of half an hour played we remain goalless in the capital.

SHOT!  This is a big block from Eriksen to prevent Newcastle from opening the scoring against the run of play. Rondon's shot was heading for the target but Eriksen got in its path, seconds after Alderweireld had blocked Perez's shot.

Newcastle's gameplan appears to be working well. The visitors, beaten in their last 10 trips to a top-six side, have kept out Tottenham and nearly took the lead on the break a couple of minutes ago. Classic Benitez, you could say!

Ten minutes to go until half time and we are still awaiting the first shot on target. Vertonghen has been just about Tottenham's best player down the left, sending in another teasing cross that nobody in white can get on the end of.

Lamela's corner is right on the money, but Sanchez sends his header over the crossbar from nine yards. This is turning into a frustrating afternoon for Tottenham, who need three points to climb above Man City into second place.

SAVE!  Vertonghen meets Trippier's cross but he strikes the ball into the ground and it is blocked before Dubravka can get to it. Eriksen picks out Sissoko from the corner, and the Frenchman's side-foot volley from 15 yards is kept out by Dubravka - the game's first save.

Dubravka did not make the cleanest of saves to keep out that Sissoko shot, but thankfully for him nobody in a Tottenham shirt could pounce. Spurs deserve a goal on the basis of what we have seen so far, though it does not look like they will find a way through in the first half.

STAT! Vertonghen has put in nine crosses from open play so far - his most ever in a Premier League game. His previous highest was seven, also against Newcastle in November 2013.

A promising moment for Newcastle at the end of the first half, as Rondon is sent in behind by Atsu. The winger put too much pace on the pass, though, and Lloris was able to get to it first. One minute has been added on at the end of the half.

HALF TIME:  TOTTENHAM 0-0 NEWCASTLE

Newcastle see out the remaining seconds of the first half to ensure that it remains goalless midway through. The hosts dominated the opening 45 minutes but could not find a way through, coming particularly close through Lamela's header onto the crossbar.

Without a point in their last 10 away matches against a top-six opponent, Newcastle made it clear from the off that they were happy to stick bodies behind the ball. Tottenham were largely frustrated in a quiet first half, though they did create a couple of good opportunities to open the scoring.

Erik Lamela clipped the ball towards the edge of the six-yard box and Lucas Moura, brought in for Fernando Llorente up top, guided his free header wide of the target after being kept onside by Fabian Schar. The home side came even closer eight minutes later as makeshift left-back Jan Vertonghen, not afraid to get the ball in the box at every opportunity, picked out Lamela towards the back post.

Despite the awkward bounce, Lamela got his head to the ball and diverted it against the crossbar, before ex-Newcastle midfielder Moussa Sissoko sent an attempt over from further out when the ball was played back into the middle. Visiting keeper Martin Dubravka finally had a save to make shortly before half time, getting down low to parry Sissoko's side-foot volley from 15 yards.

Newcastle had one or two bright moments in the first half, with Solomon Rondon and Ayoze Perez having shots blocked by Christian Eriksen and Toby Alderweireld respectively in the space of a few seconds. Tottenham have 45 minutes left to find a breakthrough - will Pochettino turn to his bench for the start of the second period?

TOTTENHAM SUBS: Gazzaniga, Rose, Wanyama, Dier, Walker-Peters, Llorente, Foyth

NEWCASTLE SUBS: Woodman, Clark, Kenedy, Fernandez, Manquillo, Joselu, Barreca

Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino pictured on January 20, 2019© Reuters


KICKOFF:  Newcastle, more than happy to take a point from this difficult away fixture, get us back underway at Wembley Stadium. Ice has been falling down onto the pitch from the arch, but the officials clearly feel that it is safe enough to continue playing.

A low-temp start to the second half of the match, it must be said. Pochettino has opted against making any changes at the break but that will surely change should the scoreline remain this way come the hour mark.

CLOSE!  Lucas is unable to get a shot away after losing his footing but he does well to backheel it into the path of Son, whose shot is blocked behind for a corner. From the set-piece, Sanchez's header spins wide of the far post.

The second half is panning out in the same manner as the first, then, with Newcastle sitting off and allowing Tottenham to dictate the flow of the game. Sanchez came close from that earlier header and Tottenham will be confident of bagging a breakthrough sooner or later.

OFF THE POST!  Newcastle come within the width of the post to opening the scoring at Wembley! Yedlin sends in a cross from the right after being left in plenty of space, and Rondon looped the header towards the bottom corner. The ball had a little too much spin on it and struck the post.

That is the third time Rondon has hit the woodwork this season - only Sergio Aguero (4), Willian (5) and Marcos Alonso (6) have done so more often. That is a real scare for Tottenham, who themselves have hit the woodwork today.

SAVE!  Not the worst attempt from Ritchie, who pulls the trigger from 25 yards for his side's first shot on target. Lloris watched it all the way, though, and managed to keep hold of the ball down to his right.

Trippier's cross causes panic in the Newcastle box but the visitors scramble the ball clear before Lucas can convert. An hour played and, despite being the better side overall, Tottenham are without a goal. Llorente is surely going to be brought on shortly.

TOTTENHAM SUB! Here comes the sub that many were perhaps expecting to be made at half time, as Llorente - the matchwinner against Watford earlier this week - comes on for Lucas. Tottenham now have a target man to aim for.

Llorente flicks the ball into the direction of Son but it is blocked by a Newcastle player. There is a different element to Tottenham's attack now for the remaining 25 minutes - can United hold on for what would be an impressive point?

OFF THE LINE!  Son picks out Vertonghen, who in turn lays it off for Lamela. Yet again there is no way through the wall of Newcastle players, though, and Tottenham have to settle for a corner. Eriksen superbly flicked the set-piece delivery goalwards but Schar cleared off the line.

SAVE!  This is turning into a gripping contest at Wembley! Perez does very well to take a pass in his stride and get a shot away from 20 yards, which Lloris manages to acrobatically tip over the crossbar. United are clearly willing to gamble for all three points.

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris makes a save during the Premier League clash with Newcastle United on February 2, 2019© Reuters


Tottenham are now up to 74% possession for the afternoon. The Lilywhites have been dominant and should have opened the scoring by now, but Newcastle are also offering an occasional attacking threat and could just as easily snatch all three points.

CHANCE!  Llorente drifts away from his man and has a free header at the back post, which he loops well off target. The Spaniard blames the sun, having clearly lost sight of the ball in the air. Another half-chance for Tottenham, that.

Time is not on Tottenham's side as we approach the final 15 minutes of the match. This will be seen as two points dropped and will surely end the Lilywhites' slim title hopes. Son's cross hits Schar and deflects kindly into the path of Dubravka.

Newcastle appear to have taken the sting out of the match over the last five minutes or so. Tottenham are preparing another change but they have next to no momentum. Benitez watches on from the sidelines, clearly pleased with this gameplan.

TOTTENHAM SUB! Rose is on for Lamela now with 12 minutes of normal time to play. Tellingly, Newcastle goalkeeper Dubravka has made the most passes of any visiting player (28). Not that it matters - a point is a good return for them.

Tottenham have hit the post and also had an attempt stopped on the line by Schar a little earlier. It is fair to say that it has been a frustrating afternoon for the Lilywhites, who are being urged forward by their supporters.

Newcastle's Fabian Schar clears the ball off the line during the Premier League clash with Tottenham on February 2, 2019© Reuters


CLOSE!  Yet more panic in the Newcastle box as Llorente meets the corner and sends it towards goal, but Ritchie blocks it close to the line. Benitez is about to make a double change, with his side now desperately holding on for a share of the spoils.

NEWCASTLE SUB! Here comes that change from Benitez - Atsu is off and Kenedy on in his place in a like-for-like change out wide.

GOAL!  TOTTENHAM 1-0 NEWCASTLE (SON HEUNG-MIN)

Tottenham have a breakthrough goal with five minutes to go at Wembley! Son is once again the hero for the Lilywhites, blasting the ball right through Dubravka after wriggling away from his marker. Dubravka should have done a lot better.

Tottenham's Son Heung-min celebrates scoring against Newcastle on February 2, 2019© Reuters


NEWCASTLE SUB! Son has now been directly involved in 14 goals in his last 10 appearances in all competition for Tottenham. January signing Barreca is brought on by Newcastle for his debut in place of Ritchie.

CHANCE!  Dubravka fails to clear the ball when sliding in at the feet of Son and Llorente should have done a lot better than fire the loose ball wide from 10 yards. The goal was gaping - not quite a sitter but one that Harry Kane would have buried.

Kenedy's audacious pass is cut out by Rose and then Perez fouls the Tottenham full-back. Four minutes have been added on at Wembley and Tottenham have already seen through one of those. Still time for one last United chance, though...

The visitors have been unable to put any real pressure on their opponents' backline since falling a goal behind. Tottenham will feel that they are worthy of this one-goal win, though they do still have to see out another 60 seconds.

Tottenham's Son Heung-min celebrates with teammates after against Newcastle on February 2, 2019© Reuters


FULL TIME:  TOTTENHAM 1-0 NEWCASTLE

Tottenham move into second place in the Premier League, for 24 hours at least, thanks to a well-earned 1-0 win over Newcastle. Son scored the only goal of the game inside the final 10 minutes to rescue the hosts, who had earlier hit the crossbar through Lamela and had an Eriksen shot saved off the line. United had the odd promising moment, coming close through Rondon's effort against the post.

That concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events from Wembley Stadium. An on-the-whistle report can be found by clicking here, and you can follow updates from Chelsea's home clash with Huddersfield Town elsewhere on the site in the next 30 minutes. Thanks for joining!

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Tottenham's Fernando Llorente celebrates scoring against Chelsea in their EFL Cup semi-final second leg against Chelsea on January 24, 2019
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