Tottenham Hotspur finally ended a three-game losing streak across all competitions with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Newcastle United at St James’ Park, but the performance offered as many questions as answers.
Thomas Frank’s side had struggled historically at St James’ Park, losing four consecutive encounters prior to this fixture, but they showed resilience to twice claw back from behind and secure a point that will at least stop the rot.
Despite the draw, the performance was far from convincing, leaving Spurs in 11th place in the Premier League, a position that falls short of expectations following Frank’s summer appointment.
While the point lifted Spurs from a precarious situation, it was one player who stood out above all others Cristian Romero. The Argentine centre-back has been a key figure in Frank’s leadership group since arriving, frequently wearing the captain’s armband.
He returned to the starting eleven after serving a suspension and immediately made his presence felt, scoring twice to rescue a point for Spurs.
His second goal, a spectacular bicycle kick deep into stoppage time, was a moment of pure brilliance, the kind of finish one would expect from an elite forward rather than a central defender.
Romero’s overall contributions went far beyond his goals. He won every tackle he attempted, demonstrating his dominance in duels, and managed to claim half of his aerial challenges, showing his strength in the air.
He made five key clearances and five ball recoveries, highlighting his importance at both ends of the pitch. In short, the Argentine was the backbone of Spurs’ performance, keeping the team in the game while his teammates struggled to make an impact.
Unfortunately, not every player mirrored Romero’s standards. Several of Frank’s starting seven had disappointing outings, failing to influence the game in meaningful ways. Rodrigo Bentancur, recalled to the starting lineup after being benched against Fulham, was one of the players who struggled.
The Uruguayan failed to complete any of his attempted dribbles and managed only two passes into the final third, highlighting his difficulties in possession. His most costly mistake came when he fouled Dan Burn in the box, conceding the late penalty that allowed Newcastle to briefly retake the lead.
Another player who failed to deliver was winger Brennan Johnson. Recalled to start after a series of substitute appearances, the Welshman was deployed on the left wing but struggled to make any impact.
He lasted 77 minutes before being substituted, a decision that reflected his ineffectiveness throughout the match. Johnson completed just 57% of his passes, registered only 29 touches fewer than Newcastle goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and failed to complete a single dribble.
His crossing was equally poor, with only one successful attempt, and he lost possession 12 times. Defensively, Johnson was dominated in duels, winning just 20% of the five he contested.
Brennan Johnson – Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur
| Statistic | Tally |
|---|---|
| Minutes played | 77 |
| Touches | 29 |
| Passes completed | 12/21 (57%) |
| Dribbles completed | 0 |
| Crosses completed | 1 |
| Possession lost | 12 |
| Duels won | 20% |
| Passes into final third | 1 |
The table above underlines just how ineffective Johnson was during the contest. With such a low involvement in play and minimal contribution both offensively and defensively, it is hard to justify his inclusion in the starting lineup going forward.
His performance contrasted starkly with Romero’s, who bailed the team out at crucial moments and ensured Spurs escaped with a point.
Frank now faces tough decisions ahead of the weekend as Spurs look to build on the draw. The team desperately needs to end its barren spell with a win, and players like Johnson, whose contributions were well below expectations, may have to make way for teammates capable of making a tangible impact.
While Romero’s heroics will dominate post-match headlines, the performance serves as a stark reminder of the inconsistencies within Frank’s squad.
The draw may halt the losing streak, but it also exposes the reality of Tottenham’s situation. The team possesses talent capable of moments of brilliance, yet too many players remain inconsistent and underperforming.
For Frank, the challenge will be harnessing the energy and leadership of players like Romero while ensuring the rest of the squad can match that intensity. The contrast between the captain’s influence and his teammates’ struggles was clear, and it is a gap that must be addressed quickly if Spurs are to compete for higher league positions in the months ahead.
Romero’s performance was not only a lifesaver but also a blueprint for what Tottenham need more of: determination, skill, and consistency. The Argentine’s dominance at both ends of the pitch proved the difference, highlighting the urgent need for other squad members to raise their standards.
With upcoming fixtures offering little margin for error, Frank will need to make decisive changes to ensure the Lilywhites’ fightback is more than just sporadic flashes of brilliance.
