Intriguing to read through these BBC Sport comments, following on from Newcastle United’s superb four goal annihilation of Tottenham.
The comments from neutrals especially telling…
A lot of it different to what Newcastle United fans had come to expect from the BBC Sport ‘neutrals’.
The BBC Sport comments from neutrals in the past had been overwhelmingly a catalogue of abuse aimed at NUFC supporters.
Particularly stuff about the Newcastle United owners and the media inspired pile-ons that NUFC fans have become used to, when blamed for who now owns their club.
On this occasion though, the politics almost totally absent.
Instead, pretty much just about the actual football…
A lot to debate in this game.
The BBC Sport readers comments from neutrals, Tottenham fans and the odd Newcastle supporter also contributing:
‘Well deserved by Newcastle we were shocking today best of luck for the rest of the season.’
‘Totally agree, Newcastle bossed it.
I thought Ange ball was about quick attacking football.
Haven’t seen that for ages, slow plodding football.
Romero plays walking football as I stated last week, and now Vicario has joined him. Not sure what Ange ball is anymore.
But once again well played Newcastle who have had no luck with injuries.’
‘What great technology with the vibrating badge on the toon shirts, seeing the joy on those deaf children when all the goals were going in for Newcastle was an amazing sight.
Hats off to those involved in it.’
‘According to Jermain Defoe, Spurs would be challenging for the title if Maddison and Van Der Ven weren’t injured for so long. I’m not an expert but I think he might be wrong!’
‘Master class in tactics from Eddie Howe today.
“High line was suicidal with the pace Newcastle have up front.’
‘As an arsenal fan I’d love to see us go for Isak. He’s quality. Not gonna happen and he seems happy with Newcastle which is a refreshing attitude but he’s a very good player.’
‘Outstanding attacking, from Newcastle, woeful defending from Spurs. Could’ve been 6-0 easily!’
‘Up the Villa. Thank you Newcastle.
Let’s see Spurs fold again for the rest of the season.’
‘Credit to Newcastle, played us off the park because every good manager has worked the one dimensional approach of the Aussie out! Soooo predictable now and every game is 65% possession and nothing done with it because midfield is lightweight and by-passed. An awful performance from the entire Spurs squad against a severely weakened Newcastle team. Awful and embarrassing, yet again!’
‘Top, top performances by everyone in a black and white shirt today. Before kick off, seeing that back line I was worried, but we played so well.’
‘Villa have managed to go fourth in the table without even playing. That Daniel Levy chappie is so generous! He even appointed some Aussie rules bloke whose only experience in management was in the Scottish Conference, on the basis that the supporters wanted entertainment. Well, the Newcastle fans certainly had entertainment today! Another great decision by the ENIC man.’
‘Spurs woeful, Spurs awful, Spurs shocking… and blah blah blah.
How about some recognition for Newcastle? Winning 4-0 with effectively only half a squad available against a ‘big six’ side with twice the income is outstanding.’
‘A Big Big thank you to NUFC and SELA for helping RNID awareness it was pure joy watching those children enjoying there first game wearing technology shirts. Brought a few tears to a lot of peoples eyes.’
‘As a long-suffering Spurs fan, I’ve seen my fair share of abject dross but in spite of a great deal of competition, this is, in all the circumstances, the biggest disgrace yet. Not just unacceptable, but totally inexcusable. We simply don’t deserve CL.’
‘Instead of slagging off Spurs why can’t people just congratulate Newcastle for an excellent performance.’
‘I’m not a Newcastle fan but today they did their city proud.’
‘All tribalism aside, if Howe manages to help Newcastle secure European football of any description this season given the injuries through the season, he deserves serious credit.
All teams suffer with injuries of course but if you look at Newcastle’s in terms of days missed by players it’s by far the worst.
He is massively underrated as a coach.’
‘Thank you Newcastle, lots of love from Villa Park!’
‘Even if Newcastle just miss out on European football, Howe/Tindall deserve massive credit. For what they’ve had to deal with this season, to keep the team as competitive as they have.’
‘I remember reading a comment from a Celtic fans before the season started that Ange had no plan B. Hate to say it but as teams have worked his tactics out that seems to be the case.
Well played Geordies.’
‘That was embarrassing as a Spurs fan. The last 6 or 7 games they have huge amounts of possession but create so little. The current squad just arent good enough to pass through teams as they keep trying to do. Newcastle aggression and intensity was just way too good for them today.’
‘Neutral here. I never saw this result coming today, especially with all of Newcastle’s injuries. A truly stunning result.’
‘Master tactician Ange had his pants pulled down by Howe, not a pretty sight. Pity about Newcastles injuries, would rather see them in the CL next year instead of Spuds or Villa but not to be…’
‘The Spud fans made a mockery of When The Saints Go Marching In when they started leaving St James’ with over 30 minutes to go. When one’s team is in trouble one stands shoulder to shoulder, you know what I mean all in it together so to speak. I think this is the beginning of the Spud implosion and you could see it on the faces of the players as they had no answer to Newcastle.
Bottlers.’
‘Well played Newcastle totally destroyed us today. Can’t make up any excuses the team didn’t show up. All we can do is go back to the drawing board and bounce back and learn from this defeat. At this level anyone can beat anyone so we still have a chance of top .’
Stats via BBC Sport:
Newcastle 4 Tottenham 0 – Saturday 13 April 12.30pm
Goals:
Newcastle United:
Isak 30, 51, Gordon 32, Schar 87
Tottenham:
(Half-time stats in brackets)
Possession was Tottenham 73% (66%) Newcastle 27% (34%)
Total shots were Tottenham 11 (5) Newcastle 18 (10)
Shots on target were Tottenham 2 (1) Newcastle 5 (2)
Corners were Tottenham 3 (1) Newcastle 16 (10)
Referee: Tim Robinson
Newcastle team v Tottenham:
Dubravka, J Murphy (Livramento 78), Krafth, Schar (Dummett 90+3), Burn, Longstaff, Bruno (White 90+3), Anderson (Ritchie 89), Gordon, Barnes (Hall 88), Isak
Unused subs:
Karius, Gillespie, A Murphy, Parkinson
(Ange Postecoglou deserves credit – Very honest after Newcastle United outclass Tottenham – Read HERE)
(Newcastle 4 Tottenham 0 – Instant Newcastle United fan / writer reaction – Read HERE)
(Can we play you every week(***) – Newcastle 4 Tottenham 0 – Read HERE)
Newcastle United matches now confirmed for rest of the season:
Wednesday 24 April 2024 – Crystal Palace v Newcastle (8pm)
Saturday 27 April 2024 – Newcastle v Sheff Utd (3pm)
Saturday 4 May 2024 – Burnley v Newcastle (3pm)
Saturday 11 May 2024 – Newcastle v Brighton (3pm)
Wednesday 15 May 2024 – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports
Sunday 19 May 2024 – Brentford v Newcastle (4pm)
(The final day of the season live TV matches will be selected closer to the day but all 10 PL games will be same time same day)
Wednesday 22 May 2024 – Tottenham v Newcastle (at MCG – Melbourne Cricket Ground)
Friday 24 May 2024 – A-League All Stars team v Newcastle (at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne)