Newcastle 2 Spurs 2 match ratings and comments on all Newcastle United players

We asked Davey Hat-Trick to give us his match ratings and player comments after Newcastle 2 Spurs 2.

A very frustrating evening at St James’ Park.

Newcastle were the better side, created more chances, took the lead twice, but ended up dropping points in injury time. Again.

Tottenham arrived in Newcastle low on confidence. Their fans don’t like their keeper, their players don’t like their manager and no one likes their owners.

So they were there for the taking, and given that we’ve battered them a few times under Eddie’s tenure, there was every reason to be optimistic.

But things just didn’t click for us. For 70-odd minutes, we looked comfortable in defence, threatening in attack, but until our subs arrived, we didn’t seriously trouble our opponents.

Once we did, with a lovely finish from Bruno, Spurs woke up and equalised with a goal we could have defended better. Then a penalty no one claimed was given by VAR; I’ve seen it again, and in my opinion, we were lucky to get it. The pen was expertly dispatched but then it was nearly all Tottenham.

Another defendable goal conceded in the fifth minute of injury time and Spurs went back to London with a point and some confidence.

Giving the players these ratings is tough – most were OK. I didn’t think anyone was terrible, nor did I think anyone was outstanding.

Aaron Ramsdale 6

Spurs had two attempts on target and both went in.

A couple of my post-match drinking buddies felt that Nick Pope would have saved both of them; I’m not so sure, but this wasn’t a performance that made me think Ramsdale should be our number one.

Doesn’t deserve pelters but could be more commanding, especially on his punching.

Tino Livramento 7.5

After a draw that felt like a defeat, it’s easy to forget we’ve earned seven points out of nine in our last three games.

That improvement in our PL form has coincided with the return of Tino and his full back buddy.

He played well again, purposeful in attack and defence, and demonstrating great reserves of energy

Malick Thiaw 7

Some lovely touches – he is so good on the ball – and he’s not afraid to get up the pitch.

But he could have done more to prevent the second equaliser. Seemed to dither a bit.

Dan Burn 6

Another player who was mostly good but a couple of lapses in concentration helped Spurs back in the game.

Commanded his area well for the most part, but guilty of some poor passes, and allowed Romero a diving header for their first equaliser. I think it was preventable.

You could argue he ‘won’ us our penalty but he was probably as surprised as I was that it was given.

Lewis Hall 7

Very good to have him back and back to somewhere approaching his best.

Got forward with energy, and – for the most part – kept Spurs at bay.

But I felt he could have done more to prevent the cross for Tottenham’s first. Fine margins and all that.

Lewis Miley 6

Deserved to retain his place after the Everton game but wasn’t as effective in this one.

He was OK but didn’t do much to influence things. There were a couple of occasions where he was pushed off the ball too easily.

Sandro Tonali 6.5

Looked good without being as good as we know he can be.

Did his usual trick of appearing to be everywhere on the pitch at the same time but picked up an injury that curtailed his evening.

Joelinton 6.5

I thought Joe played quite well but he seems to have taken some of the aggression out of his game.

Won his share of tackles, was decent on the ball, and hit the post in the first half. It looked like he was tiring towards the end of the game.

Jacob Murphy 5.5

As ever, got a few crosses into the box, but hit the defender too often, and failed to provide any real spark.

Not his best game.

Nick Woltemade 6

Nick has quick feet, good awareness of what is around him, and a great attitude.

Some of his tricks worked last night, some didn’t, but he did provide the assist for Bruno’s goal.

I should also mention his work in defence on set-pieces. Got his head on more than his fair share of crosses into Newcastle’s box.

Harvey Barnes 6

Tried hard, had one or two good moments, but didn’t provide his usual goal threat.

Not his night but that was the case for most in black and white.

SUBS

Bruno Guimaraas 8

On at half-time and made a real difference.

Always looking to pass forward, drove his teammates on, and reminded us why he wears the armband.

Scored a lovely goal with a calm but expert finish.

Anthony Elanga 5.5

A couple of promising moments, including one run where he was looking for a ‘last man’ red card. He was never going to get it.

There’s a player in there but we are yet to see it.

Needs to improve his defensive contribution – he could have done more to prevent Romero’s overhead kick in my opinion – if he wants to convince me he’s an upgrade on Murphy.

Anthony Gordon 7

Let’s face it – AG has been disappointing in the PL so far this season. But he showed a lot of intent last night.

A surging run past his man led to our first goal and he smashed in a great penalty for our second. More please…

Fabian Schar N/A

Not on long enough to judge.

Newcastle 2 Spurs 2 – Tuesday 2 December 2025 8.15pm

Match Stats

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Bruno 71, Gordon 86 pen

Spurs:

Romero 78, 90+5

Possession was Newcastle 53% Spurs 47%

Total shots were Newcastle 19 Spurs 8

Shots on target were Newcastle 7 Spurs 2

Corners were Newcastle 11 Spurs 8

Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 38 Spurs 22

Newcastle team v Spurs:

Ramsdale, Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Joelinton, Tonali (Bruno 46), Miley (Schar 93), Barnes (Gordon 66), Jacob Murphy (Elanga 66), Woltemade

Unused subs:

Ruddy, Willock, Ramsey, Neave, Alex Murphy