Newcastle United 0-2 Tottenham Hotspur: Despite No Reinforcements, Spurs Make Solid Start To New Premier League Season

Tottenham made a winning start to the 2017-18 Premier League season as Newcastle endured a difficult return to the top flight after being reduced to 10 men. Newcastle had won five of their previous eight top-flight meetings, doing the double over Spurs when they were relegated in 2015-16. They frustrated Spurs again in the first half at St. James’ Park on Sunday, too, but the 48th-minute dismissal of Jonjo Shelvey ruined Rafael Benitez’s plans, and Mauricio Pochettino’s visitors pounced.Nigerian-British attacker Dele Alli put his side ahead with a close-range finish before Ben Davies finished off a neat move for Tottenham’s second. Rafael Benitez’s side did not really threaten Hugo Lloris in the Tottenham goal until late on, Christian Atsu forcing the goalkeeper into a low save and Ciaran Clark going close with a volley from 12 yards.
Instead, Spurs could have added to their lead as Harry Kane, last season’s Premier League top scorer with 29 goals, struck the post in injury time.