Postecoglou on Newcastle defeat: ‘We just needed to kill it off and we didn’t’ | OneFootball

It was another disappointing result on the road for Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham Hotspur as they fell to a 2-1 defeat.

Postecoglou was pleased with the way his side controlled the game however, he felt Spurs “lacked composure” in front of goal with summer signing Dominic Solanke and Richarlison both missing the game due to injury.

“We should have got something from the game,” he said. “It’s very similar to the first away game where we controlled it for the most part.

“We just needed to kill it off and we didn’t. I thought we could have tested the keeper more.”

Spurs came close from chances in the second half, with Wilson Odobert coming closest, but failed to hit the target from inside the six-yard box.

The Spurs back four was sliced open for Isak’s winner after a defence splitting pass from Joelinton in the build-up, beating a half-hearted press from James Maddison.

On the goal, Postecoglou said: “The second goal was disappointing. We switched off but it should have been well over by then so it’s another sore one unfortunately where we haven’t got the rewards for our play but ultimately, it’s three strong performances from our first three games. The results don’t reflect that.”

Spurs had 66 per cent possession during the game, starting the second half brightly with half time substitute Brennan Johnson making an impact. It was Johnson’s follow up from a Nick Pope parry which saw Dan Burn bundle the ball into the back of the net for 1-1.

Johnson replaced Pape Sarr at the interval, and Postecoglou later revealed the decision to take Sarr off was down to the fact he had been booked in the opening 45.

“Pape had been booked and I felt we were run over the top and we needed to get the ball to our wide players.”

Micky van de Ven also missed out due to injury, though Postecoglou felt his deputy Ragu Dragusin didn’t look out of place stepping in for the Dutchman.

He said: “I thought he did well. He was really concentrated, and he’ll play a big part of our season. He’s only 22 and still young for a defender.”

Postecoglou continued: “Exposing him to this atmosphere against the threat of Newcastle, I think him coming through that and the experience will set him up well.”

Next up for Spurs after the international break is the north London derby at home.