Kane a concern: Five things learned as Spurs beat Newcastle 2-1

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Tottenham Hotspur kicked off their Premier League campaign with a 2-1 win over Newcastle United.

Spurs opened the scoring after just eight minutes as Jan Vertonghen’s header was shown to have been over the line by goal-line technology.

Their lead lasted just three minutes after Joselu headed in following a good cross from Matt Ritchie but Dele Alli restored Tottenham’s advantage with a header of his own shortly after which would prove to be the winner.

Here are five things we learned.

1. Tottenham and England’s overreliance on Kane could be damaging

Harry Kane has been a very busy boy this summer, barely resting between football and personal commitments.

Ending last season as a guaranteed starter with Tottenham despite an ankle injury, Kane went on to play all but one game for England at the World Cup as the Three Lions made it to the third-place play-off match – seven games in total, six for Kane.

A late return to training was coupled by the birth of Kane’s daughter, meaning the striker would have had little time to truly prepare for Tottenham’s Premier League opener against Newcastle.

But Kane did start given Spurs’ lack of replacement options, and looked off the pace throughout as he had in the second half of England’s World Cup campaign.

Whether it was the decision of the Englishman or his manager to play him on Saturday, Kane needs time to rest or it could cause problems for the rest of the season.

Tottenham striker Harry Kane has never scored a Premier League goal in the month of August, despite playing 13 games, 943 minutes and attempting 45 shots.

2. Matt Ritchie gives Newcastle fans hope

After a summer of discontent at Newcastle regarding the situation at the club and a lack of new faces brought in, Matt Ritchie reminding fans of the Magpies that their current players can be good enough to keep them in the Premier League.

Ritchie had been a key player for Newcastle last season, creating 52 chances and recording five assists – and it took him just 11 minutes to get involved in the new campaign.

With Newcastle already behind, but still looking strong, the ball was worked out to the right where Ritchie found himself with a crossing opportunity.

The Scot’s cross in was excellent, beating the defenders between him and Joselu, with the Spaniard heading Newcastle level.

And as Ritchie grew into the game more, so did Newcastle, which made the midfielder’s substitution that bit more bizarre.

3. Alli proves to be Tottenham’s lucky charm once more

While Harry Kane was struggling to impose himself on the match after a long summer and little rest, Dele Alli continued to show why he is valued so highly by both Spurs and England.

The former MK Dons midfielder pushed high throughout the match, often moving beyond Kane as Tottenham’s most attacking player on the pitch.

This came off perfectly for Tottenham’s second goal as he made the move to his favourite position – the back post – to head in for his first goal of the season. It was also his first headed goal in the Premier League in over a year, having failed to score with his head last season.

The game against Newcastle was also the 33rd Premier League match in which Alli has scored, with Spurs unbeaten in each of those matches with a record of 27 wins and six draws.

4. Kenedy is to Newcastle what Adama Traore was to Middlesbrough

While Ritchie was providing the testing crosses on Newcastle’s right, on the left Kenedy was a one-man outlet driving the Magpies up the pitch.

The Brazilian, who returned to St James’ Park on loan again from Chelsea, constantly caused problems for Auerier and Eric Dier as he was more than happy to cut inside and drive more centrally.

Kenedy attempted X take-ons during the match on Saturday afternoon, completing X of them. The exciting winger was also fouled X times as he proved difficult for the Spurs defence to break down.

But there are still aspects the Brazilian needs to work on as he squandered a very good opportunity to equalise early in the second half, with a poor first touch letting him down having been played in with yards of space.

5. Kieran Trippier has little to worry about

Kieran Trippier had a brilliant World Cup. So brilliant that the right-back was genuinely being compared to David Beckham for his crossing and set-piece abilities as he helped England to a fourth-placed finish.

But due to his late return, and busy schedule, the right-back was not involved in the game against Newcastle with Serge Aurier starting and Kyle Walker-Peters on the bench.

And while Serge Aurier provided a beautiful cross the Bury Beckham himself would have been proud of, to set up Alli’s goal, the Ivorian was otherwise erratic.

Aurier struggled defensively, especially against the pace and trickery of Kenedy and was fortunate have escaped a yellow for a tackle on Jonjo Shelvey in the opening stages of the match.

The post Kane a concern: Five things learned as Spurs beat Newcastle 2-1 appeared first on Squawka News.



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