Tottenham rounded off the campaign with a controversial post-season friendly against Newcastle in Melbourne’s MGC that was effectively a commercial exercise.
James Maddison and Alexander Isak exchanged goals in the first half, and Ange Postecoglou, back in his home city, made a raft of changes after the break – underlining the friendly feel to the contest.
The game was decided by a penalty shootout, with Newcastle winning 5-4 after Bryan Gil was the only player to miss.
Here’s how Dan Kilpatrick rated those on show...
Brandon Austin 5
Palmed the ball into Isak’s path for Newcastle’s equaliser at the end of a first half when he had little else to do. Similarly quiet after the break.
Pedro Porro 6
Looked a little jaded after a long season and did not offer his usual attacking verve.
Radu Dragusin 6
Largely untested defensively in a game Spurs dominated before Isak equalised.
Micky van de Ven 7
Beat Isak in a couple of eye-catching foot races in the first half.
Emerson Royal 7
Enjoyed a freer role than usual, getting into some dangerous attacking areas in both halves, although might have been tighter defensively for Newcastle’s goal.
Rodrigo Bentancur 6
Composed at the base of midfield as Spurs dominated the opening 45 minutes.
Pape Sarr 7
Appeared to be enjoying himself, at one point trying his luck on goal from deep inside his own half.
James Maddison 8
Did not look like a player worried about injury before the European Championship in a lively display. Capitalised on Nick Pope’s error to score an excellent goal and was at the heart of Spurs’ dominant first half.
Dejan Kulusevski 6
Energetic off the ball and calm in possession in a central role, but did not have a notable impact in the final third.
Brennan Johnson 6
Had a close-range effort saved by Pope when he probably should have scored.
Heung-min Son 7
Saw a penalty appeal waved away after a collision with former teammate Kieran Trippier and set up the aforementioned chance for Johnson with a low cross.
Subs
Alfie Devine (Maddison 45’) 7
Influential as Spurs ran the game in the second half, linking up well with the likes of Bryan Gil and Jamie Donely.
Ashley Phillips (Porro 45’) 6
Obviously comfortable on the ball but not pushed defensively by a Newcastle team which was also much-changed after the interval.
George Abbott (Van de Ven 45’) 6
Kept it simple, recycling the ball quickly to allow the flair players ahead of him to have most of the ball. Looks accomplished.
Oliver Skipp (Bentancur 45’) 6
Played out the second half at centre-half. Relatively untroubled but managed to get booked.
Bryan Gil (Son 61’) 7
Bright on what you have to imagine could be his last appearance in a Spurs shirt. Fired a shot wide after cutting in from the right.
Jame Donley (Sarr 61’) 7
Produced a couple of nice touches in dangerous areas and fizzed a shot wide of the far post, as Spurs continued to dominate after the break.
Dane Scarlett (Kulusevski 69’) 7
Peppered efforts on the Newcastle goal in a lively late cameo, although most were blocked or wayward.
Yago Santiago (Johnson 69’) 7
Stretched the game down the right flank and put a couple of dangerous crosses into the box.
Tyrese Hall (Dragusin 71’) 7
Composed in possession and carried the ball into some good areas. Looks a prospect.
Alfie Whiteman (Austin 78’) 6
Completely untroubled by a Newcastle side who looked far less interested than Spurs.
Rio Kyerematen (Emerson 87’) 6
No time to make an impact in a late cameo.
Leo Black (Abbott 87’) 6
A valuable experience for a player who has spent most of this season with Spurs’ Under-18s.
