Jacob Ramsey struck a decisive blow as Newcastle United claimed a 2-1 Premier League victory over Tottenham Hotspur, piling more pressure on manager Thomas Frank and intensifying Spurs’ relegation worries.
Tottenham’s dismal domestic form, compounded by a list of 11 absentees, has fueled fears that the north London club could be dragged into a survival battle.
This latest defeat will only reinforce concerns that the club is in serious turmoil.
Newcastle had a deserved half-time lead thanks to Malick Thiaw’s stoppage-time header, while Spurs fans voiced their frustration by booing the team and chanting for former manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Tottenham briefly responded in the second half when Archie Gray equalized in the 64th minute, but Ramsey quickly restored Newcastle’s advantage just four minutes later, handing Spurs their fifth loss in nine league matches.
The north Londoners have won only two of their last 17 Premier League games.
The home crowd’s anger was evident, with chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” directed at Frank as the game drew to a close.
With just 12 days before their next fixture against Arsenal, Spurs’ ownership faces a difficult decision over the manager’s future.
From the start, the match showed the tension between two struggling sides. Newcastle looked dangerous from early corners, while Spurs’ Xavi Simons dragged an attempt wide, failing to settle the team.
Newcastle continued to press, with Joe Willock and Ramsey creating early openings, and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario’s misjudgment in the 20th minute nearly handed the visitors an early lead.
Spurs suffered another setback when Wilson Odobert left the field with a potential knee injury, though the introduction of Mathys Tel lifted spirits temporarily.
Despite a brief scare when Ramsey’s assist allowed Willock to curl a shot into the net, VAR ruled it out for a marginal offside.
Newcastle finally broke the deadlock in stoppage time of the first half. Willock’s precise cross found Thiaw at the back post; Vicario saved the initial header, but Thiaw followed up to fire home, sending the Magpies into the break with a 1-0 lead.
The second half began with Spurs fans chanting for Pochettino, and Tottenham did show signs of life.
Tel tested the goalkeeper twice, and Pape Sarr’s flick-on forced Nick Pope into action in the 54th minute. Gray’s header from a Simons corner leveled the score in the 64th minute, but Newcastle quickly regained the lead.
A sloppy pass from Conor Gallagher set up Anthony Gordon, whose assist allowed Ramsey to sweep home, restoring Newcastle’s advantage.
Frank brought on Randal Kolo Muani to spark a revival, but Van de Ven’s late effort went over the bar, leaving Spurs in despair as full-time arrived.
For Newcastle and Eddie Howe, the victory ended a run of three consecutive league defeats, providing much-needed relief, while Tottenham’s crisis deepened, leaving fans and management searching for answers.
