Jamie Carragher blasts ‘disgraceful’ Tottenham after first-half Newcastle mauling as Gary Neville criticises defending | Football News
Jamie Carragher has labelled Tottenham “disgraceful” after they shipped five goals in the opening 21 minutes against Newcastle on Super Sunday.
Jacob Murphy opened the scoring after just two minutes before further strikes from Joelinton (8), a second from Murphy and an Alexander Isak double produced an astonishing scoreline midway through the opening period at St James’ Park.
Leading 5-0 within 21 minutes, it was the second-earliest a side has done so in Premier League history, after Man City against Watford in September 2019 – after just 18 minutes.
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Murphy gives Newcastle the lead after just one minute at St James’ Park
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Joelinton doubles Newcastle’s lead within six minutes of their clash with Tottenham
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The Tottenham defence are left stunned as Murphy fires in a third for Newcastle
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Isak makes it 4-0 as to Newcastle as Tottenham implode at St James’ Park
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There is disbelief at St James’ Park as Isak scores his second to make it 5-0
Carragher wrote on social media: “Newcastle are brilliant, they have been all season. Tottenham are a disgrace! How have they gone to a back four for the first time this season, with [Pedro] Porro a full-back that can’t defend and [Ivan] Perisic who is a winger? Get a proper manager in right now, not Conte’s mate.”
It was the first time Spurs conceded five goals in a Premier League match since May 2016 – also at Newcastle – with still 70 minutes remaining in the game.
Tottenham reverted to a back five by bringing Davinson Sanchez on after 23 minutes for Pape Sarr, but the damage had already been irrevocably inflicted.
Alexander Isak celebrates after scoring Newcastle’s fourth
Prior to kick-off, former Spurs full-back Danny Rose had told Sky Sports that he was in favour of Cristian Stellini’s switch to a back four following the late home defeat to Bournemouth.
“I’m happy they’ve gone to a back four,” said Rose. “Some of the games I’ve watched, they’ve played with a back five and two defensive midfielders – so that’s seven. With the goalkeeper, it’s eight.
“But they were still conceding two goals each game. For me, that’s not right. You’re not defending properly. So, it’s right they’ve gone with a back four and with a three in the midfield to match Newcastle.
“Once, you win the midfield battle, that’s half the battle won.”
Cristian Stellini on the touchline at St. James’ Park
But Spurs lost every battle. Perisic and Porro – not recognised full-backs – were left horribly exposed as Newcastle ran riot in the opening 21 minutes.
Sky Sports‘ Alan Smith said on co-commentary following Murphy’s opener after 61 seconds: “It’s a catalogue of errors from Tottenham. Spurs look shell-shocked.”
Gary Neville was scathing of Porro’s failure to make a tackle. Cristian Romero was also not without blame.
Joelinton made matters worse after six minutes with a well-taken finish having rounded Hugo Lloris, but where was the marking from Fabian Schar’s simple diagonal?
“Porro didn’t know where he was,” added Smith. “It is a car crash. Tottenham are in total disarray. This could get ugly.”
And it did. A lot uglier.
Murphy’s finish for his second from distance swirled viciously through the air, but Lloris didn’t move. Isak then took centre stage with two well-taken goals, although Lloris again didn’t cover himself in glover for his second.
A breathless Smith continued: “Tottenham have imploded! This is incredible to watch. What must Harry Kane be thinking? Lloris shouldn’t be beaten so easily from that angle. I can’t think of a collapse of this nature.”
Newcastle’s five goals came from just a 1.71 xG. It was clinical from the hosts, but truly dreadful from the visitors.
