Tottenham Hotspur vs. Newcastle United: Score, Grades and Post-Match Reaction

An absolutely astonishing goalkeeping display by Tim Krul helped Newcastle United escape with a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Loic Remy fired the visitors ahead early in the first half after great work by Yoan Gouffran, and despite Spurs' dominant second-half performance, they could not find a way past the gargantuan Dutchman in goal.

Spurs started with purpose, switching play regularly and testing Newcastle's back line.

Kyle Walker's adventurous surge opened up the first opportunity inside the opening few minutes, but Krul claimed his low cross in the first of many, many saves.

"Last season he (Krul) has a great game over here as well, said Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas, as per Sky Sports. "Today was the inspiration. He made the difference for them."

Despite dominating the ball, the home side did little with it, and it was the same Magpies defensive outlook that stifled Chelsea so well the previous week.

The opening goal, scored by Alan Pardew's men, was extremely poor from Spurs' point of view: Gouffran robbed Paulinho of possession in his own half, then proceeded to slide Remy in with an inch-perfect through-ball.

It illustrated Newcastle's phenomenal defensive system in all its glory, as high pressing would make way for dogged defending in their own half. They were excelling at both ends of the pitch.

In response, Krul was forced into a number of world-class saves to preserve the lead until half-time, sprawling to his left and right to palm away clever headers and long-range salvos.

Villas-Boas brought on Younes Kaboul and Sandro at half-time, but little changed for the home side with regard to their fortunes in front of goal.

They steamed forward within minutes of the restart, and a square ball found Christian Eriksen, but the Dane's goal-bound effort was blocked expertly by Krul's trailing leg.

Minutes later, they were inches closer after a deflected free kick forced Krul to palm clear, and only a goal-line clearance prevented the home side from drawing level.

As the game wound down, adjustments were made by both managers, with Pardew adding an extra body in midfield and AVB throwing on Jermain Defoe.

Jan Vertonghen, Paulinho and Andros Townsend all had efforts expertly blocked, and Pardew's troops hung on for an extremely impressive win.

"First half, for an away team I thought we were the better team," Pardew told Sky Sports' Mark Brus afterward. "Second half, they changed it a bit, stretched the pitch, and caused us no end of problems.

"Our goalie [Krul] was terrific, our centre-halves were terrific. He's done a few good ones for us, Tim, I think he's the best Dutch goalkeeper for sure, and one of the best in this league."

Key Players Grades

Tim Krul: A+

The Dutchman was in heroic form all afternoon, producing save after save to deny Spurs a goal.

Christian Eriksen: C

Eriksen is integral to unlocking tight defences, but his inconsistent nature shone through.

Full Player Grades

Player	Position	Grade
Subs
Brad Friedel	GK	C+
Kyle Walker	RB	C+
Michael Dawson	CB	C+
Vlad Chiriches	CB	C
Jan Vertonghen	LB	B-
Paulinho	DM	C+
Mousa Dembele	DM	C-
Gylfi Sigurdsson	LW	C+
Christian Eriksen	AMC	C
Andros Townsend	RW	C
Roberto Soldado	ST	C
Sandro	DM	C+
Younes Kaboul	CB	C
Jermain Defoe	ST	C+

Player	Position	Grade
Subs
Tim Krul	GK	A+
Mathieu Debuchy	RB	B-
Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa	CB	B
Mike Williamson	CB	B
Davide Santon	LB	B
Cheick Tiote	MID	B-
Yohan Cabaye	MID	B
Moussa Sissoko	MID	C+
Yoan Gouffran	MID	B+
Shola Ameobi	ST	C
Loic Remy	ST	A-
Vurnon Anita	MID	B-
Papiss Cisse	ST	C
Gabriel Obertan	MID	N/A

What's Next?

After the international break, Tottenham travel to Manchester City, and Newcastle host Norwich.