Tottenham vs. Newcastle: Score, Grades and Reaction from Premier League Game

Tottenham 1-2 Newcastle

Two inspired half-time substitutions saw Alan Pardew's Newcastle United claim an unexpected three points after coming from behind at Tottenham.

Spurs looked comfortable as they entered the half-time break with a 1-0 lead courtesy of Emmanuel Adebayor's 18th-minute header.

Ahead of the second period, however, Pardew brought on Sammy Ameobi and Remy Cabella to remould his out-of-sorts team.

Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

And just six seconds into the half, Ameobi fired home the equaliser before Cabella set up Ayoze Perez for the winning goal in the 58th minute.

But this was a game which will leave Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino angry, after his team had contrived to throw away three points after dominating the opening 45 minutes.

For Pardew, it was another weight of relief lifted from his shoulders as the Magpies lifted themselves out of the relegation zone after a second successive Premier League win.

There was no starting place for Harry Kane in the Tottenham starting line-up, with Nacer Chadli returning to the team in place of the Europa League hat-trick hero. Jan Vertonghen replaced the suspended Federico Fazio.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew made one change with the injured Papiss Cisse being replaced by Ayoze Perez, but the big news was on the bench, where Ryan Taylor was included in the squad for the first time since August 2012 after long-term injuries.

The match marked the 10th anniversary of the passing of legendary Spurs manager Bill Nicholson, and former Tottenham players were paraded on the pitch before the game as a mark of respect.

The north London club also marked the death of historian Andy Porter in their pre-match preparations.

Spurs looked lively in the opening exchanges, with Christian Eriksen and Chadli looking to exert pressure on the visitors down the flanks.

But there was also an early chance for Newcastle courtesy of a Perez shot, but Hugo Lloris saved comfortably.

That was immediately followed by a chance for Tottenham, but Eriksen's snapshot failed to trouble Tim Krul after good work by Ryan Mason and Adebayor.

Both teams were guilty of wasting opportunites when Vertonghen of Spurs and Newcastle's Paul Dummett both tried their luck from distance, rather than finding a better-placed team-mate.

However, in the 18th minute, Tottenham took the lead. Mason placed a cross beyond a disorganised Newcastle defence, allowing Adebayor to head home at the far post.

"

Adebayor goal... Tottenham 1-0 Newcastle https://t.co/Yc6OrjvVDA

— Football News Alert (@Footy_Layne24) October 26, 2014"

The momentum was with the home side after the goal, and Danny Rose went close with a fierce drive which flew just over the crossbar.

Yoan Gouffran was cautioned in the 23rd minute for a foul on Eric Dier as Pardew watched on from the sidelines in frustration.

There was concern for Spurs, though, when Adebayor appeared to twist his ankle. The Togo international continued in the game as he attempted to run off the injury.

Newcastle were lacking inspiration, underlined by a poor corner in the 30th minute, which Spurs easily cleared to set up another attack.

But the Magpies found some solace in the form of Moussa Sissoko, who—after being treated for a knock—began to impose himself on the game with some strong running and good awareness. And Dier was forced to head behind for a corner after the midfielder had created a 41st-minute attack.

Tottenham remained in control, however, and went into half-time with a 1-0 lead.

Pardew swapped the ineffective Gabriel Obertan for Ameobi at the start of the second period, and reaped an immediate reward just six seconds later.

Dier was caught napping at kick-off when Jack Colback slid a ball forward, and the substitute powered forward to slam home the equaliser for the Magpies. 

The equaliser brought the game to life, and Fabricio Coloccini had to be alert to block an Eriksen effort in the 52nd minute, after Colback was cautioned for a foul on Erik Lamela.

Six minutes later, White Hart Lane was left stunned as Newcastle took the lead. Sissoko rode past three Tottenham players before laying the ball off to Remy Cabella, who sent over a tremendous cross and Perez was waiting to head home for the Magpies.

"

Ayoze Perez first ever BPL goal for Newcastle. @NUFC https://t.co/jGTgjHqbaR

— Jay K (@jiikoo11jk) October 26, 2014"

Cabella had also proved to be an inspired half-time substitution after replacing Vurnon Anita in a tactical switch by Pardew.

Pochettino brought on Kane for Etienne Capoue in the 66th minute as Tottenham went in search of a way back into a game they should really have had under control.

Moments later, Spurs thought they struck an equaliser with a Gouffran own goal, but the linesman correctly ruled that the preceding corner had gone out of play.

Pochettino made a further switch 12 minutes before the end, with Lamela being replaced by Aaron Lennon, while Pardew brought on Massadio Haidara for Perez.

The need for an equaliser was paramount for Tottenham, and Pochettino brought on Roberto Soldado for Adebayor in a bid to spark his attack.

But the Spanish striker was guilty of squandering a chance to equalise in injury-time when he spooned the ball over the bar from in front of goal.

It was a chance which summed up Spurs' day.

Selected Player Ratings

Ryan Mason: A

An excellent first half for the Tottenham youngster, rewarded with his first-ever assist for Adebayor's opening goal. Lost his way a little in the second period, though.

Moussa Sissoko: A-

Newcastle United player appeared to be looking for a role across the pitch in the early stages, but went on to become the best on show in the opening 45 minutes. The competition wasn't exactly stiff, though. But his work for Newcastle's second goal deserved commendation.

Younes Kaboul: B

Tottenham captain had come in for some criticism recently, but looked solid alongside Vertonghen in the first half—although he was helped by having little to do. The second half was a different matter, however.

What's Ahead

Tottenham are next in action on Wednesday when they play host to Championship side Brighton and Hove Albion in the Capital One Cup fourth round.

Newcastle face the daunting prospect of a trip to Manchester City on the same night in the same competition.

Post-Match Reaction