James Maddison criticises Tottenham for playing it safe in costly Premier League defeat to Newcastle United

James Maddison told TNT Sports that Tottenham “weren’t brave enough” as they were undone in devastating fashion by Newcastle in a 4-0 loss.

Tottenham enjoyed 73% possession but trailed the Magpies 18-11 in the shot column as Ange Postecoglou’s side dropped out of the top four thanks to the heavy defeat in which they managed just two attempts on target.

Spurs were very much architects of their own downfall with Anthony Gordon pickpocketing Destiny Udogie for the first goal, a hopeless Pedro Porro pass setting up the second just 95 seconds later and Micky van de Ven beaten for each of the opening three scores.

Alexander Isak’s second strike came after a period of sustained Spurs pressure but it took just one pass to set the Swede up with a one-on-one opportunity, and by the time Fabian Schar added the fourth from a late corner the fight had completely drained from the visitors.

"It was just a really bad day,” Maddison told TNT Sports. "We conceded the first goal and when you concede a second so quickly after at a place like this, you give yourself a mountain to climb."

"I felt at 0-0 out there were some chances for us, spaces to play. We just weren't brave enough I think with the ball - we played too many safe passes, too many safe options, and hadn't enough courage to try and play a riskier pass.

“It was all a bit safe which I think cost us at 0-0 because it felt like there was chances to play through and create chances. It's sloppy little details that cost us and then we struggled from there."

While Isak starred, Heung-Min Son was a non-factor and Maddison was lacking the usual flair he brings to the Spurs side, and with the European reward for fifth place still unconfirmed, it means Tottenham drop below Aston Villa on goal difference.

Ange Postecoglou’s side play Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal in their run-in but won’t take the field for 15 days before they return to action with the north London derby.

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