Mike Ashley employs one of the best in the business in Rafael Benitez, but the Newcastle owner must surely allow himself to cast the occasional covetous glance in the direction of Mauricio Pochettino. How could Ashley, who has a reputation for stingy stewardship, not be impressed by a manager who continues to deliver despite failing to spend a single penny this summer?
Pochettino’s team ground out a win which suggests they will be among the Premier League’s front-runners this season. They were not without fortune, the hosts striking their woodwork twice in an at times frenetic second half, as Tottenham secured a second consecutive opening-day victory on Tyneside. This was the kind of gritty away display on which successful campaigns are built.
Around 500 Newcastle supporters protested against Ashley at the doors of the Northumberland Street branch of Sports Direct pre-match. Their discontent was fuelled by the 53-year-old’s decision to spend £90 million on the fallen high-street giant House of Fraser in the wake of making a £20 million profit on summer’s transfer business – despite Benitez signing seven players.
The rumbling discontent continued throughout the afternoon in the form of constant anti-Ashley chants from the stands as Tottenham rode their luck somewhat to win.
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Tottenham held on to a 2-1 victory against Newcastle at St James' Park on Saturday afternoon.
The three goals in the Premier League encounter came inside the opening 20 minutes of the match with defender Jan Vertonghen putting Spurs ahead in the 8th minute.
READ: The full Premier League match report from St James' Park
The Premier League season is now underway and to help get Saturday's action started Newcastle United host Tottenham Hotspur on the opening weekend.
Spurs will be under the microscope after failing to improve their squad in the recently closed transfer window as they look to prove their doubters wrong in the St James' Park encounter.
Follow all of the action as it happens, as following fan unrest at the club owner's lack of ambition the Toon also look to put a troublesome pre-season behind them in the 12.30pm kick-off.
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