Tottenham 1-2 Newcastle: Spurs in free fall

Ange Postecoglou’s side could hardly have wished for a better start against in-form Newcastle, but Dominic Solanke’s early goal was as good as it was against the Magpies.

Spurs trailed seven minutes before half-time and, despite a better second-half performance, failed to trouble goalkeeper Martin Dubravka enough to salvage anything from the game.

Spurs insisted Joelinton should have been penalized for handball in the run-up to Anthony Gordon’s equaliser, but the referees ruled that contact with Lucas Bergvall’s pass was accidental and the Brazilian’s arm was in a natural position.

Their latest defeat means Spurs have taken just five points from their last eight in the league, while their run of six home league games without a win is their longest since an eight-game run under Juande Ramos in 2008.

They have not kept a clean sheet in the Premier League since the 4-0 win over Everton in August, 10 games ago.

Debutant goalkeeper Brandon Austin could do little against Newcastle’s two goals, while introductions from Son Heung-min, James Maddison and Yves Bissouma with half an hour remaining failed to turn the tide of another deeply frustrating afternoon for Postecoglou and his team. players.