Despite some solid play against Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Ange Postecoglou were eventually unsuccessful on Tyneside
Tottenham dominated possession and created much more chances than their opponents, but they may have missed Dominic Solanke in the box, who was absent due to injury.
The same could be said for Micky van de Ven at the opposite end of the pitch; with the Dutchman’s extra eagerness and quality, Spurs would not have been as clumsy in defence.
Nonetheless, Spurs were disappointed, much like their opening weekend tie at Leicester City, and the approaching north London derby is much more important.
Tottenham will aim to have both Solanke and Van de Ven recovered before then, for a game in which Arsenal will be without Declan Rice due to suspension.
James Maddison failed to make up for the faults of his Tottenham teammates.
During Sky Sports’ half-time broadcast of Spurs’ defeat, Roy Keane criticized James Maddison’s part in Newcastle’s opening goal, scored by Harvey Barnes.
The analyst was mostly unhappy with Tottenham’s center-backs, but he also felt that the £40 million midfielder didn’t do enough to halt Lloyd Kelly’s cross from the left.
Keane said: “The game had really low quality, but the finish is wonderful, with a lovely first touch.
“But the Spurs players, it’s just their body language; they simply switch off for the throw, and you can see they’re taking a breather at the wrong time.
“They bring some bodies back, but they’re all in the same line, and I’m always wondering where your two centre-halves are when the ball comes into the middle of your box.
“Maddison needs to improve, but it’s the two centre-backs; you see a couple of Spurs players throwing their arms in the air – forget about it, fellas; someone get out there.
“They just switch off for a split second.”
Cristian Romero suffers without Micky van de Ven at Tottenham.
Since Postecoglou arrived in north London little over a year ago, the Tottenham boss has been credited with enhancing Cristian Romero’s performance.
While he merits the plaudits, it is also worth noting how frequently Van de Ven compliments his Argentinian partner.
Romero is now able to step out of defence with adequate cover, demonstrating an underappreciated aspect of his game.
On Sunday, however, Romero’s decision to leave Tottenham exposed for Newcastle’s opening goal felt ill-advised.
Watch: What a goal! Alejo Veliz, a Tottenham loanee, scores a thrilling stoppage-time victory for Espanyol.
Alejo Veliz, a Tottenham loanee, scored a thrilling stoppage-time winner to win the game for Espanyol earlier today
Rayo Vallecano took the lead inside 5 minutes, but Espanyol answered nearly immediately with a goal from Carlos Romero.
The game stayed tied until the 96th minute, when Alejo Veliz scored for Espanyol.
Controlling the ball with his back to the goal, he turned and hit an unstoppable shot into the back of the net to win it for his team.
Philippe Clement believes that the Rangers have ‘quality to challenge’ Celtic.
Clement strengthened his squad with deadline-day additions Nedim Bajrami and Neraysho Kasanwirjo
Rangers manager Philippe Clement believes his “young and exciting” group can compete with Celtic’s established side on Sunday, while acknowledging that his “massive rebuild” will take longer than a single transfer window.
Clement strengthened his squad with deadline-day additions Nedim Bajrami and Neraysho Kasanwirjo, claiming that the narrative surrounding his team had been unduly negative.
The Belgian believes many underestimated the club’s task this summer, with six players going for free at the end of their contracts, following the departures of Alfredo Morelos and Ryan Kent the year before.
“It’s been really busy months and weeks,” he told me. “I mentioned it at the end of last season: it was the end of a cycle at the club. I don’t think everyone understood exactly what I was talking about.
“The squad included many players over the age of 30 who were no longer progressing, as well as players nearing the end of their contracts who were about to leave.
“We have 16 players from last season’s roster who are no longer with us, and those who are not practicing with the squad may potentially leave the club. So that’s a lot; it’s definitely the end of a cycle, and we also have
Clement discussed a four-layered approach to rebuilding: signing experienced players like Vaclav Cerny, Robin Propper, and Bajrami; “high-potential” young players like Connor Barron and Jefte who can make an immediate impact; “young potentials” who will benefit the club in the long run; and giving academy players more opportunities.
He went on to say, “Of course, the more money that comes into a club, the more you can spend.” So it hasn’t been much because of the legacy and contracts of the past.
“So we had to work that way, and we knew. And it is critical to utilize the word ‘we’. That means the board, me, and recruitment. We understood it would take time and was unlikely to be completed in a single transfer window, despite everyone’s best efforts.
“A lot has already been done, but it is not just short-term; it is long-term. If we went short-term, it would have cost more money, which was not feasible. And we must build value for the future.
“I believe everyone together found young, exciting talent and it’s about now working hard to develop them while keeping an experienced core that can guide them on and off the pitch.”
Clement believes a 6-0 victory over Ross County at temporary home Hampden Park last weekend shows that many have been overly gloomy about their chances.
“I think because of a lot of situations there’s been a negative perception around the club, the stadium, elimination from the Champions League,” according to him.
“People tend to forget what is going well. Last week, we won 6-0, although it could have been more. So it isn’t all horrible.
“This is an exciting project with an exciting team right now. It’s not the finished item, and I know we’ll be playing against a team with a lot of experience who’ve been playing together for a long time.
“We are a young, energetic team looking to challenge that right now. But I believe we can contest it and go all in for the three points.”
Albania midfielder Bajrami will not be completely registered in time to face Celtic, and versatile on-loan Feyenoord defender Kasanwirjo is unlikely to play after just one training session. However, except Ridvan Yilmaz, Clement has a fully fit team.
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