Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou said his side “didn’t get to any levels” in their 4-0 defeat at Newcastle.
Spurs are fifth in the Premier League and at risk of missing out on Champions League football, having been beaten by first-half goals from Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon, followed by another for Magpies top scorer Isak after the break and a late fourth from Fabian Schar.
“Even before the goals, we didn’t have a real grip on the game like we usually do,” Postecoglou told TNT Sports.
“It became a game of transition and we paid the price for that. Even outside of the goals, I don’t think our football was anywhere near the level it should be.”
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Tottenham have taken one point from three away games since winning 4-0 on March 10 at Aston Villa, who are above them by a one-goal superiority with six matches of both teams’ seasons remaining.
Fifth place may not be sufficient to reach the 2024/25 Champions League, depending on how successful the remaining English teams in this season’s competition are, which will affect co-efficient rankings.
Newcastle v Spurs goals ‘nowhere near good enough’
“Newcastle were really good today,” said Postecoglou, who made a triple substitution to try to revive his side. “We just didn’t get to any levels that would allow us to get a grip on the game.
“It wasn’t about the people coming off. We just weren’t taking control of the game, we were allowing Newcastle to dictate.
Bruno Guimarães made sure he reminded Lo Celso of the score 🍿 pic.twitter.com/v4jXjS3AE2
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 13, 2024
“I made the changes hoping we could stem the tide and we did a little bit – but it’s still nowhere near good enough.”
Newcastle were helped by a mistake-laden game from Micky van de Ven. “For all of them, that’s the life of an elite footballer,” observed Postecoglou.
“You’re going to make mistakes. I’m sure he’s going to make many more of them in his career.
“It’s about how you react to those mistakes. All of us, as a group, have a fair bit to learn from today.”
