In the last two years, Spurs have been thoroughly outplayed by Newcastle United in their away fixtures, with humiliating losses of 6-1 and 4-0. However, this time, despite walking away without any points, Tottenham’s performance showed marked improvement and a level of dominance that has been rare in previous seasons. Ange Postecoglou, Tottenham’s manager, was quick to emphasize that his side’s performances have been strong, despite the results not reflecting that. Spurs have 4 points from the first 3 games which is a disappointing return considering their Champions League hopes for the season.
Ange post the Newcastle Game, “So, another sore one unfortunately where we haven’t got the rewards for our play, but ultimately it’s three strong performances from the first three games. The results don’t reflect it in that way.”
Dominance in the Opponent’s Box
The first stat that proves Postecoglou’s claim is the number of touches Spurs had in the opponent’s box. In their recent match against Newcastle, Tottenham recorded 49 touches in the opponent’s penalty area, one of the highest this season in the Premier League. This level of penetration into a well-organized Newcastle defense speaks volumes about Tottenham’s attacking intent and their ability to control the game in the final third. Spurs dominated the possession and had more than double the shots compared to Newcastle, showcasing their control and ability to create opportunities. Even in their game against Leicester, Spurs had 60 touches in the opposition box which is the highest ever for any team in the Premier League.
Shot Count: A First in the Premier League
Tottenham are the first team this season with 20+ shots in a PL game and lose. pic.twitter.com/1Tmthbd7sx
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) September 1, 2024
The second key stat is that Tottenham became the first team this season to register 20+ shots in a Premier League game and still lose. This stat is as frustrating as it is revealing. It highlights that while Tottenham was able to generate a significant number of goal-scoring opportunities, they were unable to convert those chances into goals. The wastefulness in front of goal is something Postecoglou will undoubtedly focus on, but the fact that they are creating so many chances is a positive sign.
Despite these positive statistics, the outcome was a bitter pill to swallow for Postecoglou, who has seen his side’s strong performances go unrewarded. The manager noted the familiar pattern of dominating a game, only to see lapses in concentration and poor finishing lead to dropped points. Tottenham’s failure to “kill off” the game after gaining the ascendancy was a key factor in their defeat.
Speaking to the press after the game, Postecoglou reflected on the match and the broader context of their start to the season. “We gained the ascendancy in the game and we just needed to kill it off and we didn’t,” he said. “So, another sore one unfortunately where we haven’t got the rewards for our play, but ultimately it’s three strong performances from the first three games. The results don’t reflect it in that way.”
Tottenham now sit with four points from their first three games, a return that does not do justice to the quality of their performances. The challenge for Postecoglou and his team will be to turn these strong performances into points, as they look to improve on what has been an inconsistent start to the season.
While the results might not yet be reflecting Tottenham’s performances, the underlying stats provide evidence that Postecoglou’s Spurs are on the right track. With 49 touches in the opponent’s box and being the first team this season to record over 20 shots in a match and lose, it’s clear that Tottenham are creating the chances they need to win games. The next step is to ensure those chances are converted, and the results will surely follow.
