Toon is for real: Lloris' blunder and Almiron's solo effort enough for the win against Spurs

Since the start of the 2017-18 season, Tottenham keeper Hugo Lloris has made 11 mistakes leading to goals – (only Jordan Pickford has managed more), which is the worst record in the Premier League, including outfield players. And tonight, he made the 12th one, a typical blunder which, along with another great Almiron goal was enough for the Magpies to win in North London and give Antonio Conte another headache: Tottenham – Newcastle 1-2.

France’s national team keeper was a hero in the defeat against Manchester United, but tonight he was the cause of the defeat. Spurs had a great start, missed two good opportunities but fell behind after a Lloris mistake before Almiron scored what in the end was the winning goal. The Paraguayan has now scored five goals in 11 Premier League games this season, already his best return in a single campaign. Once Newcastle’s most expensive player was often described as a player who ‘runs like a headless chicken’ as both Rafa Benitez and Steve Bruce couldn’t use him the right way, but Eddie Howe did, just like with Joelington, and he shines now.

Newcastle have lost just one of their last six Premier League away games and the trend is ongoing with another great and well-deserved win. The guests were a better team for most of the game, scored goals from their opportunities and played well enough not to risk a last-minute equalizer. They out-pressed Konte’s Tottenham and the Italian tactician now has to find a quick fix after two straight losses and before a Sporting game in the Champions League.

For this match, Konte made five changes and this time Oliver Skipp, Ryan Sessegnon, Emerson Royal, Clement Lenglet and Davinson Sanchez all started the game. Spurs made a more intense start, particularly Son, who had four shots on goal in the first 10 minutes, and the fourth one was a certain goal until Trippier came in to clear the ball from the goal line. 20 minutes later Kane had an excellent shot, but Pope saved with his foot.

And then Hugo Lloris made one of his blunders and allowed Newcastle to score. Willson was charging forward and the French keeper came out of the penalty area, didn’t make it to the ball, and ran into Willson. He fell immediately, but Newcastle’s striker didn’t stop but scored from almost 30 meters and VAR confirmed his goal, as there was no foul. But the Magpies didn’t stop there. In-form Almiron took the ball from outside the penalty area, came in and coolly finished for 2-0.

At the beginning of the second half, Magpies appealed for a penalty after Royal handballed in the penalty area, but VAR didn’t say anything. Minutes later, Kane gave the hosts hope after his header finished past Nick Pope. But that was all Spurs did. Newcastle stood their ground and played well. They controlled the game, didn’t panic and they are heading toward North East England with three points and fourth place in the Premier League after a long, long time.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 13

Saturday

Nott.Forest - Liverpool 1-0 (0-0)

/Awoniyi 55/

Everton - Crystal Palace 3-0 (1-0)

/Calvert-Lewin 11, Gordon 63, McNeil 85/

Man.City - Brighton 3-1 (2-0)

/Haaland 22, 43 pen, De Bruyne 75 - Trossard 53/

Chelsea - Man.Utd. 1-1 (0-0)

/Jorginho 84 pen - Casemiro 90+4/

Sunday

Aston Villa - Brentford 4-0 (3-0)

/Bailey 2, Ings 7, 14 pen, Watkins 59/

Leeds - Fulham 2-3 (1-1)

/Rodrigo 20, Summerville 90+1 - Mitrovic 66, Reid 74, Willian 84/

Southampton - Arsenal 1-1 (0-1)

/Armstrong 65 - Xhaka 11/

Wolverhampton - Leicester 0-4 (0-2)

/Tielememanss 8, Barnes 19, Maddison 66, Vardy 80/

Tottenham - Newcastle 1-2 (0-2)

/Kane 54 - Willson 31, Almiron 40/

Monday

22.00: (1.60) West Ham (3.90) Bournemouth (6.50)

***odds are subject to change***