This was a game that Tottenham were expected to win easily.
However, football doesn’t always stick to the script and despite enjoying 80% possession [WhoScored], Mauricio Pochettino’s side fell to a single goal from new Newcastle striker Joelinton.
Spurs seemed devoid of creativity and were missing Tanguy Ndombele in the middle. Harry Winks and Moussa Sissoko struggled to pass forwards and Harry Kane had an off day.
However, Tottenham fans saved their strongest criticism for Erik Lamela.
The 27-year-old got a WhoScored rating of 6.0, behind only Harry Kane (5.8), and had a torrid time until he was replaced after 62 minutes by Christian Eriksen.
His stats were awful – he only attempted one dribble and made one key pass that wasn’t completed.
According to Squawka, he’s given the ball away 49 times already this season and Spurs fans are not happy.
Here are the best reactions on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/lolza15370475/status/1165762942253588486
Lamela wasn’t strong enough on Sunday. He was brushed off the ball too easily and was dispossessed twice by Newcastle players.
In the two previous games this season he’s offered almost zero goal threat, with an xG of 0.02 (Man City) and 0.06 (Aston Villa).
Christian Eriksen was on the bench again yesterday and without him Tottenham really struggle for creativity. If he leaves before the European window shuts then Tottenham have to try and find a player who can replicate what he offers on the pitch.
https://twitter.com/jamied90_/status/1165759661804535813
Wouldn’t have Lamela anywhere near that team, certainly not keeping Lucas Moura put. The step overs & showboating, don’t need it.
— Alf Love (@alf_love47) August 25, 2019
Listen you can think of him whatever you want… and I’ll just give my honest opinion, some players impress in 5 mins, some after a season , Lamela hasn’t impressed in 6 years – not every signing will be a superstar
— Glory Glory (@gloryglorytott) August 25, 2019
One fan said Lamela hasn’t impressed in over six years at the club but we think that’s harsh.
He’s scored 30 goals and added 42 assists in 190 games, which is a pretty decent return.
He wasn’t good yesterday but it’s easy to criticise Tottenham players and ignore what Newcastle brought to the game. They were disciplined and stifled the Tottenham attack successfully.
I’d have sold Lamela ages ago, I don’t know how he’s managed to stay at the club as long as he has.
— Li-J (@LJBaracus23) August 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/Jackgrey99/status/1165741709269118977
https://twitter.com/seandyson1/status/1165739106216943617
Lingard by far most accurate comparison for Lamela. You get some big moments but zero consistency. Not the brightest either.
— Alpha Papa (@N17Revolution) August 25, 2019
https://twitter.com/THFC_M4/status/1165751809434107904
One Tottenham fan wants to see new signing Giovani Lo Celso starting next week along with Christian Eriksen. Arsenal will be a different sort of test for Pochettino’s men but they will need to be a lot better than they were on Sunday to get anything out of the game.