Kevin Danso impresses, 4/10 to be frozen out – Tottenham player ratings v Newcastle
Tottenham finished their pre-season tour of Asia with a 1-1 stalemate against Premier League rivals Newcastle.
Spurs hit the front first thanks to a Brennan Johnson goal which was aided by a massive deflection off Newcastle defender Dan Burn.
The Toon responded with a Harvey Barnes strike which clipped the inside of the post to equalise before half-time.
The draw means Spurs remain unbeaten in pre-season, but they can’t make it back-to-back wins after defeating their North London rivals Arsenal last time out.
Danso gives Frank centre-back decision
Antonin Kinsky – 5
Question marks maybe over Barnes’ equalising strike which beat Kinsky at his near post, but the pace on the shot at close-range means the goalkeeper had little time to react.
Pedro Porro (Off for Spence 46′) – 4
Beaten too easily by Barnes to be able to cut inside and get a shot away inside the penalty area for the equaliser. Was replaced at half-time.
Cristian Romero (Off for Van de Ven 46′) – 5
Involved in one of the game’s controversial moments when he and Guimaraes clashed inside the Spurs penalty area. Was outshined in defence by his centre-back partner.
Kevin Danso – 7 – Man of the match
Pressed well to win the ball back for the opening goal. Solid in his defending and made a claim to be given more minutes to impress in pre-season.
Ben Davies (Off for Vuscovic 80′) – 4
Struggled defensively against the pace of Newcastle’s wingers, will only be a squad player under Thomas Frank based off this showing.
Spurs come together as Son departs
Rodrigo Bentancur (Off for Bergvall 46′) – 6
Shielded the back four well when required and strong in his duels, but Frank will hope there is more to come from the Uruguayan.
Archie Gray (Off for Maddison 75′) – 6
Like Bentancur, Gray had a solid showing which would not have hampered his claims of making Frank’s starting line-up for the season.
Brennan Johnson (Off for Odobert 75′) – 6
Johnson’s goal took a wicked deflection off Dan Burn, with the Welshman fortunate to see the effort nestle into the back of the net. Positive in his run forward though which made the goal, otherwise we saw little from him.
Pape Sarr (Off for Bissouma 62′) – 5
Was unable to reproduce that spectacular goal against Arsenal, in what was a quieter outing for Sarr as he was pushed further forward than against the Gunners.
Heung-min Son (Off for Kudus 65) – 6
The occasion was all about Son as he bid an emotional farewell to Spurs in what could be his final match for the club. Son was embraced by all his team mates when he was substituted. On the pitch, Son was unable to grab a goal which would have been fitting for a Spurs legend.
Mathys Tel (Off for Richarlison 62′) – 4
Missed a massive chance when one-on-one with Nick Pope in the first half. The striker had almost too much time to decide how he was going to beat the goalkeeper, and in the end it was a simple save for the goalkeeper.
Concern as Maddison stretched off
Substitutes
Djed Spence (On for Porro 46′) – 7
Impressed against Arsenal and also did well here. Spence is making a strong claim this pre-season to be a starting full-back under Frank.
Yang Min-hyeok (On for Maddison 86′) – 6
No time to make an impact after being brought on to replace the injured Maddison.
Mohammed Kudus (On for Son 65′) – 4
Failed to make an impact when he replaced Son, more will be expected from Spurs’ big signing of the summer during the season.
Micky Van de Ven (On for Romero 46′) – 6
Solid in the defensive work he was forced to do, but Newcastle did not have a shot on target during the second half.
James Maddison (On for Gray 75′) – 6
A massive concern for Frank as Maddison was forced off just minutes after replacing Gray. Maddison limped around the pitch then fell to the turf and looked distraught before being stretched off.
Richarlison (On for Tel 62′) – 4
Like Kudus, Richarlison came off the bench to little effect when the Brazilian could have been a game changer for his side.
Wilson Odobert (On for Johnson 75′) – 6
Did not see much from the 20-year-old when he came on which was a surprise after he was a threat against Arsenal.
Lucas Bergvall (On for Bentancur 46′) – 7
A positive performer in midfield, Bergvall impressed in the second half with his energy and drive to get forward and support the attack.
Yves Bissouma (On for Sarr 62′) – 6
Another solid performer, Bissouma was not spectacular but he got around the pitch well and did his defensive work. Midfield is another area where Frank has some decisions to make.
Luka Vuscovic (On for Davies 80′ ) – 6
Little opportunity to see the 18-year-old’s defensive capabilities with just ten minutes remaining when he came on, which were disrupted by the injury to Maddison.