Tottenham Throwing Champions League Hopes Away in Defeat to Newcastle

The streak is over. Newcastle have done what they seemingly always do, beating Tottenham at White Hart Lane after a man-of-the-match performance from their goalkeeper. 

This was no smash-and-grab, though. Spurs threw this game away and are in danger of relinquishing what had seemed to be an odds-on Champions League place. 

Tottenham have dropped 11 points from winning positions in this season. Had they simply held on to what they have had, they'd be six points clear at the top of the table. 

As it is, they remain outside the Champions League places and have thrown away their laudable 14-game unbeaten run in the Premier League. 

There is no credit to be taken from this 2-1 defeat to relegation-battling Newcastle where Mauricio Pochettino was outdueled by the supposedly hapless Steve McClaren. 

In truth, the visitors' play belied their league position, but Spurs simply must beat mediocre teams like this at home. 

Pochettino has been deservedly applauded for Tottenham's significant progress this season, but he should be singled out for criticism after this failure. 

His inability or unwillingness to recognise the fact that the game was getting away from his team has cost him three crucial Premier League points. 

The early insistence on going long was a deliberate and effective tactic aimed at forcing the opposition back. 

BEN STANSALL/Getty Images

Toby Alderweireld is an excellent exponent of the long pass out of defence. In combination with the pace and movement of Erik Lamela and Dele Alli, it is a dangerous weapon that punctures the opposition press immediately.  

It has the secondary benefit of weakening the opposition's attack as it draws their midfielders into deeper positions. And the attacking players are cut off as the providers drop to support the defence.

Pochettino won the initial tactical battle as Siem de Jong and Papiss Cisse were forced to subsist on half-chances.

The insatiable pressing game was working effectively as the visitors consistently surrendered possession, bewildered by the aggression of Spurs' approach. 

Unfortunately for Spurs, Newcastle eventually formed a successful rearguard action. 

Eric Dier did manage to snatch the lead before half-time but there were already ominous signs. 

Tottenham dominated the possession in the first half (70 percent), but McClaren's side saw far more of the ball after the break. 

Newcastle came out with a simplified, safer game plan and Spurs failed to adapt. 

Pochettino's substitutions could have been predicted before kick-off, while McClaren made the right call to introduce the energy and dynamism of Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ayoze Perez with both substitutes scoring in the comeback win. 

Spurs have given their two poorest performances in the last two league games. The sterility and listlessness of this defeat could also be seen in the 1-1 draw against West Brom. 

Tottenham look desperately short of a leader in midfield and Mousa Dembele's injury-enforced absence was felt more keenly than anyone could have predicted before the season began. 

They have taken the same points from their previous six games as Manchester United. Not so long ago that would have been worthy of praise, but United have been struggling and Spurs have failed to take advantage.

BEN STANSALL/Getty Images

Tottenham's form in thrashing Manchester City and outplaying both Arsenal and Chelsea suggested that Pochettino's team had reached maturity earlier than expected. 

Only four of Spurs' key players—Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Dembele—are over the age of 23. 

The inability of such a young team to sustain excellence over the long term should not come as a shock, but it is hugely frustrating nonetheless. 

It is a routine commentator's cliche but this season is more unpredictable than most, and it seems certain that the points totals required for the league title and Champions League places will be far lower than in previous years. 

Spurs will likely not need to accrue 75 points to finish in the top four, but they are currently on track for just 62. That is two fewer than last season despite playing at a far higher level through most of the 16 games of this campaign. 

All is not lost for Spurs but there is no longer the veil of the undefeated streak to cover their inadequacies. 

They are not playing well and—the 4-1 thrashing of Monaco aside—have not played well for some time. 

With 22 games remaining, time is on their side but Pochettino must reverse this unhappy trend.