We won (1-3) against Newcastle and we are still fighting for a place in Europe.
This victory took us up to
seventh and improved our chances of Europa League qualification for next season.
On top of all that, it was the first time our boss has ever won a Premier
League game at that ground. He had eight attempts with different clubs.
Are we finally getting it
together? This was probably one of the best games we've had for a long time.
But the day didn't start off
all that rosy. I woke up with a splitting headache. Decided to go for a cycle
ride and still managing not to clear it. I then went to bed to see if that
would help, it did. Got up at 3.15 to take the dog for a walk, did odd jobs and
then prepared for the game. Unfortunately, the game wasn't on NowTV or even one
of the free channels. It was only on Sky, and I don’t have Sky. Luckily for me,
the Lone Ranger – no Tonto – came to my rescue (no Silver either… that is the Rangers
horse, for those that are not familiar with 50s cowboy shows). I better explain:
I write for a Spurs Website, and the owner, Ricky, is a computer expert who
managed to get me a couple of links. They were a lot better than NowTV, which
you have pay for (only I didn't as Tottenham had issued them for free; now run
out). So, prepared, and unlike the Arsenal game, no interruptions (power cuts).
So I had my glass of wine
ready and some food and was raring to go. The players in the eerie stadium went
through their rituals in silence (just a few noises here and there). Then the referee
blew his whistle, and we were off.
After 27 minutes, we scored.
Son had drilled a low shot into the bottom corner moments after the drinks
break, which had disrupted Newcastle's dominance. Be grateful for small
murphies. But we are supporting Spurs here, so it wasn't all that surprising
when Dwight Gayle almost levelled when his header hit the post.
Then came the break, and I
rushed downstairs to top up my glass of wine. At the same time, I was on a
Spurs WhatsApp group, where the conversation was lively. More so when you’ve
had a few glasses. I don’t know whether the others were drinking, I can only
presume so.
The second half.
Matt Ritchie blasted an equaliser home 11
minutes after the restart. That Déjà vu feeling again. But I needn’t have
worried, their party only lasted four minutes as Kane headed home a cross from
substitute Steven Bergwijn. This was our England captain's 200th club goal.
Harry Kane's 201 club career
goals
Club Goals
Tottenham 185
Millwall 9
Leyton Orient 5
Leicester 2
He got the 201st in the 90th
minute with another header after Martin Dubravka parried Erik Lamela's shot.
Thoughts
We must give some credit to
Newcastle as it was an impressive performance from them. They managed 22 shots
to our eight, but their season is just petering out as uncertainty over their Saudi
Arabian takeover continues on their long and winding merry-go-round.
Before the match, Mourinho
said the team would "fight" for a Europa League spot. At least he is
interested in that competition, unlike Pochettino who couldn’t give a shit
about it.
Mourinho’s previous seven
visits to Newcastle in league with Chelsea and Manchester United had resulted
in three draws and four defeats. No wins.
We were unchanged from the
side which beat Arsenal on Sunday. Serge Aurier starting just two days after
his younger brother Christopher was shot dead. He will now return to France on
Thursday to see his mother.
We were second best until
the drinks break with Mourinho reshuffling to a 4-2-3-1 from 4-4-2 and it
immediately paid dividends.
Lucas Moura had stolen possession
off Fabian Schar before picking out Kane, who found Giovani lo Celso. He fed
Son, who smashed his shot through DeAndre Yedlin's legs and into the net. Son
has been involved in more goals under Mourinho than any other Spurs player (10
goals and eight assists).
As for Kane, he was reticent
until Richie’s goal. Then he was fired into life and scored with a brilliant
header. But it wasn’t over for him – oh, no! – he managed a second header at
the end of 90 minutes. As the goals went in I was leaping up and down like a
possessed fool.
It was the first time Kane
has ever achieved that (two headers) in a Premier League game; after starting a
move in the centre circle before finishing it off from close-range.
So, a great victory (ok,
maybe not that great, but a victory nevertheless) and we are now within one
point of Wolves in sixth place, which could be the final Europa League slot if
Arsenal win the FA Cup.
Stats
Son had his best Premier
League season.
Only Liverpool and
Manchester City have won more Premier League games than us since Mourinho's
first game in November.
Newcastle had 22 shots, the
most they have had in a Premier League game this season and the most they have
had in a defeat in the competition since October 2018 v Brighton (27).
Son has had a direct hand in
21 Premier League goals this season (11 goals, 10 assists), his best return in
a single season in the competition.
What's next for us?
We play Champions League
hopefuls Leicester City on Sunday (16:00 BST). After that our final game will
be against Palace on Sunday, June 27th.
There you have it, still a
lot to play for, and what I had witnessed over the last two games, gives me
hope for next season. A few new editions then hopefully we will challenge for
trophies. Also; with luck, we all will be there (at the stadium) to witness our
rise to greatness (I’ve been saying that every year since the 70s; before that
we had Bill Nicholson). Granted, under Keith Burkinshaw, we did win trophies (that
was the 80s).
God knows when the new
season will start, but we do know that the transfer window will now open on
July 27th, after our last game and closes in October.
Following our win and all that
analysing by all those experts, I switched off, went downstairs and topped up
my glass of wine, again. I must admit that when I did get to bed, I fell
quickly to sleep. Now another day, another prayer and fingers crossed for a good
result on Saturday. All in the day of the life of a Spurs supporter.
Take care, and all the best,
Glenn
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