Newcastle secured a tenacious win over Tottenham as they began September with a 2-1 victory at St. James' Park.
The Magpies were direct and intent on giving Spurs a tough time from the offset. A stoppage in play after a referee switch up enabled the visitors to gain some attacking momentum.
However, it was Newcastle who broke the deadlock through Harvey Barnes after a well-worked cross following a wide free-kick.
The second half told a similar story. Tottenham withstood brief early pressure to take control of the game, but - in an unwanted harking back to their opening day draw to Leicester City - failed to capitalise on multiple chances created.
Alexander Isak made sure that the wasteful Lilywhites were punished. Joelinton's pass cut through the middle of Spurs, with Jacob Murphy latching onto it and squaring it to the 24-year-old, who slotted in his fourth goal in three appearances against Spurs.
Although not at their best, - like much of the season so far - the hosts dug in to earn another precious win and remain unbeaten.
Heading into the international break, Newcastle are currently in fourth place, with seven points from nine. Tottenham are in tenth with four points.
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Story of the Match
The hosts made one change from their last Premier League outing, with Barnes coming in for Jacob Murphy. Sandro Tonali also returned, taking a spot on the bench after a ten month ban for gambling breaches.
Spurs, meanwhile, swapped out Micky van de Ven and Brennan Johnson for Radu Dragusin and Pape Matar Sarr, with Dejan Kulusevski moving to a centre forward role.
Newcastle started with high intensity, trying to replicate the discomfort they inflicted on Spurs in their last two meetings in the north east.
Their high press allowed Alexander Isak to nick the ball off Heung-Min Son before chipping it onto the bar, while a quick counter attack ended with a shot from Barnes that drifted wide.
Tottenham were able to break the pressure at times with some calm moves. Cristian Romero headered the ball into the back of the net on eleven minutes, but he was flagged offside.
There was an early substitution, though not for either side. Linesman Ian Hussin was replaced by fourth official Darren Bond after an injury.
After the pause in proceedings, the Lilywhites had a mini reboot. Quicker, more forthright passing led to a slick piece of play, finalised by a strike over the bar from Wilson Odobert.
There were decent, if unsuccessful, long ranged attempts from Sarr and Pedro Porro as they further asserted themselves.
As some frustration began to creep in for the possession-starved Toon, a Lloyd Kelly cross into the box was clinically met by Barnes, whose graceful finish put the home side ahead.
The aftermath saw Newcastle returning to their early pressing, with added aggression to see out the half.
At the interval, Johnson came on for Sarr to revert Postecoglou’s side to the starting eleven that hammered Everton last weekend, with Son now the striker.
Isak again was an early threat, running in behind before being recovered by Dragusin. Tottenham responded well, with Johnson able to get some joy down the right. The Welshman’s cross found its way to Odobert at the far post, whose knee could only lift it over.
This prompted a flurry of chances for Spurs, who again regained a purposeful intent to their final third work.
After going close through Son and Porro, who rattled the bar, they eventually equalised via an own goal from Dan Burn.
A bobbling shot from James Maddison was parried by Nick Pope, with Johnson sliding it back across the byline to deflect off the centre-back into the net.
Similar to the opening forty-five, Eddie Howe’s side were able to fashion a good opportunity despite being routinely badgered. A counterattack was finished off by substitute Murphy, whose poked shot was saved by Vicario.
However, Tottenham continued to create unease for them. Some mistakes blotted the Newcastle midfield as sloppy giveaways allowed the likes of Son, Odobert and Johnson to create more openings.
Chances were aplenty by the seventy-minute mark. Maddison lashed a top corner effort to force a superb save from Pope, Porro lofted a shot over and Johnson squandered a side-footed attempt from close range.
Newcastle hung on and it was a counter once again that provided another chance - this time one that was very much taken.
Joelinton’s laced pass beat Spurs’ high defensive line to set Murphy free beyond Destiny Udogie. Accompanied by Isak, the Englishman laid it into the path of the Swede, who tapped in for his first of the campaign.
The final fifteen minutes were comprised of slower attacks from Tottenham as they were zapped of space and inspiration in the final third.
One last whipped cross from Johnson was met by no one - in sharp contrast to the more effective finishing shown by Newcastle, who pushed through to earn a resilient three points.
Newcastle travel down to Wolves next time out while Spurs host their north London rivals Arsenal.
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Player of the Match - Joelinton
A much needed physical presence in the middle of the park, Joelinton epitomised the Toon's hard fought victory.
Breaking up some of Tottenham's passing movements in the first half was important. The deep-lying through ball that practically set up the winning goal was a piece of creative brilliance - in nice contrast with the gritty performance he had delivered.
