View: 60% Spurs defender flops in Newcastle loss, Sky commentator laments 'Dreadful' moment

Tottenham Hotspur have navigated multiple defensive disasters down the years to strike gold in defenders such as Cristian Romero, but the ghost of nightmares past haunted Spurs against Newcastle United.

Against the run of play in the second half at St. James’ Park, Romero was at fault for a crucial Magpies winner from Alexander Isak to send Ange Postecoglou’s side home empty-handed in a 2-1 defeat.

It was a difficult one to take for the side whose sketchy record against Newcastle continues after the dismal defensive moment.

Sky Sports co-commentator Andy Hinchcliffe told Seb Hutchinson following the decisive goal [1 September]: “Defensively from Tottenham, this is just truly dreadful.

“Don’t ball-watch, you have to drop off. Romero just seems to be watching the ball, no idea where [Jacob] Murphy is, [Destiny] Udogie hasn’t tracked him in.

“It’s too easy for Murphy to get in behind that Tottenham back line.”

Cristian Romero slips up in Tottenham defeat

While Romero did intervene with his trademark strong and successful challenges in one occasion in the second half, it was ultimately his error that cost Tottenham the contest on Tyneside.

The positioning by Romero and Udogie to allow Jacob Murphy in behind to provide Isak with an easy finish was appalling – and the Argentine did not enjoy one of his better games.

Usually commanding in the air with a 69.8% aerial duel success rate last season, Romero won just 60% of his competing headers against Newcastle – and primarily Isak [Fotmob].

In possession, the 26-year-old did not succeed with any of his three long ball attempts. He also made just one block despite winning both of his ground duels.

World Cup champion Romero – one of the more reliable defenders in N17 over the past decade, enjoyed good records in both of these departments in 2024-25 so far, performing above 94% of his fellow Premier League centre-halves for touches of the ball; 85% for aerial duels won.

Postecoglou will know he does not have to give Romero too much advice on the matter – the player himself will know his lapse at St. James’ Park contributed heavily to his side’s defeat.

In other Tottenham news, a statistical outlook on the absent Micky van de Ven.

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