‘It has been better of course…’ Thomas Frank reflects on Spurs defeat to Newcastle United

Thomas Frank watched on as his Spurs team were dominated by Newcastle United.

United eventually winning 2-1.

Thomas Frank admitting after the latest Spurs defeat: “It has been better of course…”

Spurs have still only won one Premier League home game since the opening day of the season.

Thomas Franks declaring: “It hurts massively that we couldn’t get the win today. I see a team running and fighting with everything they have. They give everything in a tricky and difficult situation.”

Well, all you can say, is that if that was this Spurs team giving “everything”, then they are in real trouble.

Newcastle United absolutely battered them and it could and should have been at least a three goal winning margin for Eddie Howe and his players.

The Spurs boss at least admitting: “Newcastle make it difficult for us. We have a transition one way and then they go the other way, we defend bad and concede the second [winning] goal.”

Spurs finished fourth bottom last season, now they are fifth bottom and only five points off relegation.

Thomas Frank not making injuries an excuse BUT making injuries an excuse: “We have players with injuries and a suspension and then another injury after 30 minutes 100% does not help. I have never complained, it is what I have available.”

Spurs 1 Newcastle 2 – Tuesday 10 February 2026 7.30pm

Match Stats

Goals:

Thiaw 45+5, Ramsey 68

Newcastle United:

Spurs:

Gray 64

Possession was Newcastle 47% Spurs 53%

Total shots were Newcastle 21 Spurs 16

Shots on target were Newcastle 5 Spurs 2

Corners were Newcastle 12 Spurs 2

Touches in the opposition box Newcastle 54 Spurs 28

Newcastle team v Spurs:

Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Ramsey (Tonali 5), Bruno (90+1 Bruno), Willock (Woltemade 88), Barnes, Elanga (Jacob Murphy 75), Gordon (Osula 88)

Unused subs:

Ramsdale, Wissa, Alex Murphy, Shahar