Newcastle vs Tottenham Player Ratings: Woltemade’s Brilliant Display Inspires Magpies to Victory

What a performance from Newcastle United at St. James' Park. From our perspective, they completely dominated this Carabao Cup tie from the first whistle to the last. Tottenham Hotspur just never looked like they were in the contest, a really flat and uninspired display from them. The Magpies came out flying. They created several chances early on, putting Tottenham Hotspur under immediate pressure. It felt inevitable that a goal was coming, and it did. Fabian Schär broke the deadlock in the 24th minute with a well-taken finish, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. It was nothing less than they deserved for their early pressure.

After that, Newcastle never really looked back. They managed the game expertly, with the second goal from Nick Woltemade sealing a comfortable 2-0 win. Tottenham offered very little in response; their key attackers were isolated, and the midfield was completely overrun. This match was a clear statement of intent from Eddie Howe's side as they march on in the competition.

Newcastle United Player Ratings vs Tottenham Hotspur

Here are the Newcastle United Player Ratings:

Goalkeeper

Aaron Ramsdale - 8.5: What stood out to us was his complete command of the penalty area. He made six saves, with five of them coming from shots inside the box which is just phenomenal. He was decisive with his high claims and punches, relieving pressure at crucial moments. His distribution was a weapon, launching attacks with accurate long balls. This was an absolutely flawless performance and for us, he was the highest-rated player on the pitch.

Defenders

Fabian Schär - 8.0: A true leader's performance from the centre-back. He didn't just defend like a warrior, making a staggering 13 clearances; he also scored the vital opening goal. Winning 6 aerial duels, he was an absolute monster in the air. The yellow card was the only small negative on an otherwise perfect night. From our perspective, he set the tone for the entire team.

Malick Thiaw - 7.5: So composed alongside Schär. His 97% pass accuracy shows just how calm he was under pressure, never wasting a pass. He read the game brilliantly, making three crucial interceptions to snuff out danger. He even had a header saved from a set-piece. A very mature and impressive display.

Emil Krafth - 6.5: He put in a solid shift for his 72 minutes on the pitch. You didn't notice him much, and for a defender, that's often a good thing. He did his job quietly and efficiently without any real fuss. Made a couple of clearances and was positionally sound before being substituted.

Dan Burn - 7.0: The captain led by example with a typically rugged performance. He was a force in the air, winning five aerial battles and making seven clearances to keep Spurs at bay. He even popped up with a key pass to create a chance for a teammate. A really solid and dependable outing from the big man.

Midfielders

Sandro Tonali - 7.5: The Italian maestro ran the show in midfield. He provided a crucial assist and was a constant creative threat, whipping in eight crosses. What impressed us most was his work off the ball; he made three interceptions and won his tackles. It was a complete, all-action midfield performance that showcased his quality.

Joe Willock - 7.0: He was electric during his 71 minutes. He grabbed an assist and was unlucky not to score himself. His passing was almost perfect, linking up play beautifully between the lines. While he was dribbled past a couple of times, his attacking contribution more than made up for it. A really positive impact.

Jacob Ramsey - 6.5: A tireless worker in the engine room. While he didn't grab the headlines like his midfield partners, he was essential to the team's structure. His pass accuracy was excellent, and he kept the ball moving. He won his tackles and drew fouls, doing the dirty work that allowed others to shine.

Forwards

Harvey Barnes - 6.5: It was a frustrating night for him in front of goal. He was a constant threat and got into great positions but his finishing was off, missing a big chance. He was so unlucky to hit the woodwork, a moment that summed up his night. He did create a big chance for a teammate, but he'll be disappointed he didn't get on the scoresheet.

Anthony Elanga - 7.0: A proper livewire who gave the Spurs defenders nightmares. He won an impressive eight duels and his work rate was off the charts, tracking back to make four tackles. His direct running caused problems all game. The final ball wasn't always there, but his energy was infectious.

Nick Woltemade - 7.5: A fantastic 71-minute display from the forward. He took his goal really well, showing great instincts in the box. But it was his link-up play that really stood out to us, creating two chances for his teammates. He held the ball up effectively and brought others into the game. A goal and a great all-round performance.

Manager

E. Howe - 8.0: He got his game plan absolutely spot on. His team played with an intensity and purpose that Spurs simply couldn't handle. The high press was effective, and they looked dangerous every time they went forward. He'll be thrilled with the dominant win and the clean sheet. A tactical masterclass.

Tottenham Hotspur Player Ratings vs Newcastle United

Here are the Tottenham Hotspur Player Ratings:

Goalkeeper

Antonín Kinský - 6.0: A difficult night for the keeper, conceding twice. He made one decent save inside the box but looked vulnerable on the goals. His distribution was a real issue, as he lost possession 16 times. From our perspective, he never looked comfortable or in command of his area. Not a complete disaster, but a performance that lacked authority.

Defenders

Kevin Danso - 6.5: He was certainly kept busy, as shown by his eight clearances. However, he was part of a backline that was breached twice and looked shaky throughout. He was decent enough on the ball, but he struggled to cope with the movement and intensity of Newcastle's attackers. An okay performance in a losing effort.

João Palhinha - 6.0: We expected so much more from him. He was largely anonymous in the middle of the park, failing to impose his usual physical presence. Being dribbled past twice and picking up a yellow card capped off a poor night. He just couldn't get a foothold in the game, a performance he will want to forget.

Pedro Porro - 6.5: As captain, you wanted him to grab the game by the scruff of the neck, but he couldn't. He showed attacking intent, creating three chances, but he was defensively suspect and wasteful in possession, losing the ball 13 times. It was a very mixed performance that promised more than it delivered.

Djed Spence - 6.5: A performance full of energy and running, but it lacked quality. He won a lot of duels and embarked on a few successful dribbles, which was good to see. However, losing possession 15 times is simply not good enough at this level. There's a good player in there, but he was far too raw and erratic here.

Midfielders

Xavi Simons - 7.0: One of the few Spurs players who can hold his head relatively high. He tried to make things happen, creating a couple of chances and always looking for the ball. He was tidy in possession for the most part. In a team that was so comprehensively outplayed, he at least showed some fight and quality.

Lucas Bergvall - 7.5: Tottenham's best player on the night without a doubt. He was a joy to watch on the ball, completing all six of his attempted dribbles. His 95% pass accuracy and creation of three chances showed his class. What stood out to us was his bravery in a team that was sinking. A huge talent.

Brennan Johnson - 5.5: He was completely anonymous. In 65 minutes, he had just 28 touches and lost the ball 14 times. He offered no threat and seemed unable to get involved in the game at all. We were really disappointed by his lack of impact. A very poor showing.

Pape Matar Sarr - 7.0: A decent, battling performance in a losing cause. He did his defensive work diligently, winning his tackles and making some important clearances. He didn't offer a huge amount going forward but he certainly didn't let anyone down with his effort and application. A solid, if unspectacular, outing.

Rodrigo Bentancur - 6.5: He was busy and energetic during his time on the pitch. He made five tackles and recovered the ball six times, showing his combative nature. However, he was part of a midfield unit that was completely second-best. A decent individual effort but it wasn't enough to turn the tide.

Forwards

Richarlison - 6.0: A deeply frustrating night for the Brazilian striker. He worked hard, won nine duels and had three shots on target, but he missed a big chance that could have changed the game. His booking for dissent summed up his irritation. He fought and battled, but lacked the cutting edge and composure required.

Manager

T. Frank - 5.0: His team was out-thought and out-fought from the very first minute. They had no answer to Newcastle's intensity and looked disjointed both in attack and defence. He failed to make any changes that influenced the game in a positive way. A really tough night for the manager, who has a lot to reflect on.

Sportsdunia's Man Of The Match is Aaron Ramsdale