Hojbjerg's run comes to an end
Needing to make a few changes to his team after the midweek defeat at Manchester United, Antonio Conte made a total of five alterations for the visit of Newcastle United. Cristian Romero and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg missed out altogether through minor injuries, with Matt Doherty, Ben Davies and Ivan Perisic the other three Tottenham players to drop out of the XI.
Davinson Sanchez, Clement Lenglet, Emerson Royal, Ryan Sessegnon and Oliver Skipp were the quintet to come into the Tottenham team in their place. With four of the aforementioned five regularly featuring over the campaign, Skipp was handed his first start in the Premier League for the Lilywhites since the thrilling 3-2 win against Leicester City in the middle of January.
While it was great to see the England U21 midfielder back in the side, Hojbjerg's absence saw his run of 32 consecutive starts come to an end. The Dane will now be targeting a new run once he returns to the XI after his injury issue.
READ MORE: Tottenham player ratings vs Newcastle: Hugo Lloris poor, Dier shaky, Bentancur and Kane battle
Emerson's skill and Dier's moment of madness
Not available for the last three Premier League games through suspension after his dismissal at Arsenal at the start of the month, Emerson returned to the team in place of Doherty. Keen to make up for lost time, the Brazilian was involved in some good bits of play early on as he looked to help Tottenham seize the initiative.
At the 15-minute mark, he also wowed those watching inside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a fine piece of skill to get the better of former Arsenal man Joe Willock. On the ball with the midfielder a matter of inches away from him, the right wing-back quickly turned and played the ball between the Newcastle man's legs before advancing, which resulted in a number of fans giving him a round of applause.
Not long after that brilliant play from Emerson, there was a moment of madness from Eric Dier that almost resulted in Newcastle taking the lead. Playing a quick free-kick to Rodrigo Bentancur, who was very impressive over the course of the 90 minutes, before receiving it back, the England international elected to pass to Hugo Lloris but didn't look up, and his overhit pass just went a whisker wide of the goal and out for a corner.
From the sublime to the ridiculous.
Skipp makes an immediate impact
Skipp really has had some rotten luck since the turn of the year after missing so much football through injury. Making his return in pre-season and looking like he had not been away with very good showings against Team K League and Sevilla, he, unfortunately, sustained another injury prior to the Rangers friendly that left him on the sidelines until the end of August.
Given minutes off the bench here and there by Conte following his return, Skipp's chance to impress from the off came against Newcastle. He was keen to make up for lost time and made a real impression in the first half with some standout play.
Playing as the more advanced player in the midfield three, the England U21 international got forward regularly and always looked to play the ball forward when he was in possession. He was purposeful in his play and also pressed well to give his opponents little time on the ball when they were in control.
More than playing his part in a couple of Tottenham attacks and linking up well with Harry Kane when he burst forward, he teed up Sessegnon after a swift break, but the left wing-back's attempt was deflected wide for a corner. On the pitch for 66 minutes with Lucas Moura entering the fray, the academy graduate's minutes should increase in the coming weeks going on such a promising performance after so long out.
Lloris question raised again
Sublime at Old Trafford in midweek and managing to keep the score down after some incredible saves to deny Manchester United time and time again, Lloris had a game to forget against Newcastle United. Quiet early on with the hosts dominating and creating chances, Spurs went behind after 31 minutes following Callum Wilson's goal from distance.
Coming out to clear a long ball over the top, the Frenchman chested the ball when looking to get beyond the striker but ended up colliding with him. Going to ground with a delayed reaction clearly in the hope of getting himself out of a bit of trouble, Lloris maybe believed that referee Jarred Gillet would award a free-kick to the Lilywhites, but that wasn't the case.
Tottenham players were incensed that the goal stood and surrounded the referee, with VAR confirming a goal a couple of minutes later after a lengthy check. Doubling their lead not long after, Lloris, unfortunately, had a part to play in it again after his long kick to Sessegnon was easily cut out by Sean Longstaff.
Miguel Almiron was first to the ball and managed to hold off the left wing-back before advancing into the box and finishing well past the shot-stopper. Not the first time a poor kick from Lloris has resulted in a goal this season. Question marks over his kicking at times were raised once again.
Marseille repeat
Needing to find the breakthrough late on against Marseille in the Champions League at the start of September, Conte made a double change that raised eyebrows amongst the Tottenham faithful. Rather than making an attacking change, the Italian instead elected to take off his wide centre-backs to bring on Japhet Tanganga and Davies.
Opting to bring on two defenders who could help push forward and attack, Conte went for a repeat against Newcastle with time running out. This time Sanchez and Lenglet made way as Doherty and Davies entered the fray.
The change resulted in Emerson taking up a new position on the right of the back three, with Doherty playing in his usual wing-back berth. With Conte's change having the desired effect against the French side in September, it didn't go as planned this time, with Newcastle holding on for a 2-1 victory.
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