Naema Celestine 
WANJALA DERRICK
In an Australian post-season friendly, Newcastle defeated Tottenham 5-4 on penalties, barely three days after the Premier League concluded.
The timing of the match, which was played in front of 78,419 fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and finished 1-1 after normal time, had been called “madness” by former England and Newcastle striker Alan Shearer. It went ahead despite concerns about the increasing workload being faced by players.
The first goal for Spurs came in the 32nd minute when England’s James Maddison took advantage of a careless pass from Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope to weave past the Magpies defense and slam the ball into the top corner. Shortly before halftime, Swedish attacker Alexander Isak equalized the score from close range.
The match immediately went to penalties, with Bryan Gil’s first attempt, which was the only one missed while the other nine were converted, being saved by Mark Gillespie for the Spurs.
Newcastle’s winning penalty was scored by right-back Harrison Ashby, who was on loan at Swansea during the previous season.
Both teams fielded formidable squads for the trip: Maddison, Dutch defender Micky van de Ven, South Korea captain Son Heung-min, and England defender Kieran Trippier started for Newcastle, along with Isak and Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
After 36 minutes, Trippier—who, like Maddison, is a member of England’s prospective Euro 2024 squad—was substituted off, a move Newcastle claimed was “pre-planned.”
Head coach Eddie Howe described it as a chance to “grow the name of Newcastle” in remarks made prior to the game.
Ange Postecoglou, the manager of Spurs, recognized that the “exposure and revenue” was an important aspect of the lengthy trip, but he also said that if his team had been competing in Europe this season, he would have prevented it.
On Friday, Newcastle will take on an A-League All Star team in a second game.
Trippier, who is expected to play for England in Euro 2024 along with Maddison, was replaced after 36 minutes in a decision Newcastle said was “pre-planned.”
In remarks made before the game, head coach Eddie Howe characterized it as an opportunity to “grow the name of Newcastle”.
Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou acknowledged that the “exposure and revenue” was a significant component of the long trip, but he also stated that he would not have allowed it if his club had been playing in Europe this season.
Newcastle’s second match is against an A-League All Star team on Friday.
