Yahoo News Newcastle United 4-0 Tottenham player ratings: Red hot Isak and Gordon battle for star man
Newcastle United hammered Tottenham Hotspur 4-0 at St James' Park as the London side endured another horror show on Tyneside.
The Magpies were taken apart 4-1 by Spurs in the reverse fixture back in December but threw more caution to the wind in this one. Indeed, Eddie Howe operated with a back five when his side were out of possession in a bid to cope with pressure from inverted full-backs Destiny Odogie and Pedro Porro and the ploy paid off.
Newcastle gave themselves a defensive platform to build on after keeping Spurs at bay in the first half hour. And after Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon made no mistake with good chances, Spurs were left shell-shocked.
The second half saw Isak grab his second before Fabian Schar's header wrapped things up. United had just 27% of the possession but more than made the most of it.
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Here's how the players rated overall:
Martin Dubravka 8
A second successive clean sheet as the Slovakia star made some key stops.
Jacob Murphy 7
Gave it his all before coming off with cramp.
Emil Krafth 8
A solid defensive showing and almost got in on the act with a goal when he struck the post.
Fabian Schar 9
A defensive masterclass with a bullet header thrown in. Excellent stuff.
Dan Burn 8
His troubles are very much in the rearview mirror after switching closer to the centre.
Sean Longstaff 7
Quietly got on with the job of absorbing pressure in front of the defensive rearguard.
Bruno Guimaraes 8
Another phenomenal effort with some sharp passing and an excellent assist.
Elliot Anderson 9
An almost complete midfield performance as he battled, blocked and cleared. Looks like a player way above his years.
Harvey Barnes 7
Caused a few problems.
Anthony Gordon 10
There are few English players in better form at the minute. Two assists and a goal. And could have been more. Man of the match.
Alexander Isak 10
Even when you think he's not in the game he can punish you. Two goals and could have had a hat-trick. Ice in the veins.
Subs
Tino Livramento (for Murphy 78)
Matt Ritchie (for Anderson 88)
Lewis Hall (for Barnes 88)
Joe White (for Bruno 90)
Dummett (for Schar 90)
Here's how the players rated in the first half:
Martin Dubravka 7
Has stayed alive and alert to keep Spurs at bay.
Jacob Murphy 7
Some meaningful runs forward.
Emil Krafth 7
Getting on with his job in the middle with no fuss.
Fabian Schar 8
Some slick clearances from the Swiss star.
Dan Burn 7
A decent display from the skipper.
Sean Longstaff 7
Sitting back and absorbing any danger.
Bruno Guimaraes 8
Another high energy display.
Elliot Anderson 8
Coping well with duel role of midfielder and wing-back. Winning plenty in the air too.
Harvey Barnes 7
A couple of positive runs and giving Spurs a headache.
Anthony Gordon 9
Has been a real threat when Newcastle have had the ball. Completely taken out by Maddison in an incident that went unpunished.
Confident finish to double the lead. Micky van de Ven has barely been on his feet with Gordon already on an assist and a goal.
Alexander Isak 9
It's 20 goals for the season for Isak now and he shows no signs of finishing here. Could have had one or two more.
