Spurs bottom of Premier League after spending £300m
Tottenham Hotspur lose 2-0 at home to Newcastle United, dropping to 20th place in the Premier League after two matches without a goal.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Tottenham Hotspur suffer a 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle United to sit bottom in 20th place.
- Manager Roberto de Zerbi insists the result was unfair as his side played better initially.
- Spurs spent over £300m in the summer transfer window to push for European qualification.
Tottenham Hotspur's difficult start to the Premier League season continued as goals from Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa within a 10-minute spell in the second half handed Newcastle United a 2-0 victory, prompting thousands of home supporters to head for the exits early. The defeat compounded mounting frustrations at the club, with fans having witnessed only three home league victories from their past 23 matches at their stadium.
Having finished 17th in the Premier League in both the 2024-25 and 2025-26 campaigns and narrowly avoiding relegation on the final day, the club entered the new season with renewed ambitions. Following an expenditure of more than £300m in the summer transfer window, supporters expected a strong push back into European competition, having won the Europa League two seasons ago and reached the Champions League round of 16 in March. Instead, Spurs sit 20th out of 20 teams after playing two matches, losing both and failing to score a single goal.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Speaking after the match, Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi maintained that his team can improve defensively but described the scoreline as an unfair reflection of the game. He expressed disappointment for the supporters and the result, noting that until conceding the opening goal, his side performed better than Newcastle and is working hard to establish a cohesive squad capable of changing the trajectory of the club's past two seasons.
"We can improve in the defensive phases but today was an unfair result."
Tottenham's summer recruitment included defensive arrivals Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson, and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka on free transfers, alongside striker Omar Marmoush, who made his debut against Newcastle following a loan from Manchester City ahead of a permanent £60m transfer next summer. Despite generating 17 attempts at goal with six on target, Spurs failed to convert any of their chances, while Newcastle capitalized by scoring with both of their shots on target.
The significant financial investment under Roberto de Zerbi highlights Tottenham's urgency to reverse years of underperformance and escape relegation battles. However, integrating numerous new arrivals quickly into a cohesive Premier League side remains a formidable challenge, especially as the closing of the transfer window approaches and the pressure from fans intensifies.
Former Tottenham and England goalkeeper Joe Hart criticized the team's direction, noting the frustration among fans who are struggling to understand the side's on-field identity compared to Matthias Jaissle's well-organized Newcastle team. Former England goalkeeper Rob Green added on BBC Radio 5 Live that Tottenham lacked invention, creation, and finishing, carrying over the exact same structural issues from the previous campaign.
With the transfer window closing on Tuesday, De Zerbi admitted he is still seeking an additional player in a specific position. Regarding potential departures such as Kevin Danso, Pape Matar Sarr, and Richarlison, the Italian manager stated that any interested parties must present a viable financial solution to the club before a move can materialize.
Source: BBC Sport
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