0-1: Livermore won the ball deep in Newcastle's half snatching it off Cabaye, this set up a chance for Adebayor who was brought down by S.Taylor inside the box. Newcastle players protested but if you hadn't made your mind up, looking at Taylors body language it's obvious he felt he'd made a mistake. Van der Vaart put the penalty away. (40)
1-1: Superb, old-fashioned wing play by Gutierrez who got past both Modric and Walker in quick succession. He then floated it in, it was too high for Cabaye at the near post but fell perfectly for Ba to equalize. (48)
1-2: Redknapp brought Defoe on at the right time, Spurs were putting pressure on the Magpies and the Englishman got the ball on the edge of the box, turned and hit it with his right foot, the ball curling into the bottom corner. R.Taylor who was marking him seemed to stick to his right in an attempt to force Defoe onto his weaker, left foot. But this is the Premier League and you would hope top strikers would be competent on either foot.
2-2: Lethal finishing might not be a word most would associate with Ameobi, but his goal to equalize was that of a striker with something to prove. He got the ball and ran into the space vacated by the wondering Walker, he then drilled his shot across Friedel and into the bottom right.
Defoe could've helped Spurs to a winner if he had either finished his chance or squared it to either Livermore or Adebayor who were positioned better, although S.Taylor blocked his initial strike well. Coloccini could've won it for the Geordies late on but he had to stretch on the volley inside the six yard box and hooked it away from goal as opposed to giving it the delicate flick towards goal. He then fired wide from the rebound as he spun - Would've called it great defending had he been at the other end!
Tiote got Man of the Match, he was all over the pitch. Shielding his back four best he could as well as getting forward in support. He plays in a position where most people may not appreciate his input for the team, but those around will give him the recognition. He intercepted many passes and stopped potential counter attacks well.
Other stand out performers were Livermore who played alongside Parker and manged to cut out attacks and tackled well. Bale was also good, retaining the ball giving Spurs a chance to get players up into the opposing half.
All in all a fair result. Spurs keep the ball well and look to have more about them with Bale having great ball retention and Modric and Van der Vaart's ability to pick out a pass. You don't feel Newcastle quite have the same as they relied on getting it to Ba and Best as quickly as they could, although Gutierrez was up and down the wing tirelessly.
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