BBC Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer believes that Newcastle United have “plenty of positives” to take from their opening 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday afternoon.
Spurs centre-back Jan Vertonghen put the visitors ahead in the eighth minute before United striker Joselu netted in the 11th minute to bring the Magpies back on equal terms, but Dele Alli bagged a goal in the 18th minute that all but sealed their fate on the opening day of the season.
Former Newcastle forward Shearer praised Rafa Benitez’ team for their efforts following the match, but admitted that it was disappointing not to earn themselves a point after Kenedy’s error.
“A disappointing result as did enough to get at least a point, but plenty of positives,” he said on his personal Twitter account in an instant reaction to the result.
A disappointing result as did enough to get at least a point, but plenty of positives @NUFC #NEWTOT
— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) August 11, 2018
OPINION
It is just one defeat so far, so Newcastle do not have much to worry about just yet. Tottenham have an array of top-class talent in their ranks, so it was always going to be difficult to get a positive result out of the game. Benitez has welcomed a few new faces to St James’ Park this summer, with Salomon Rondon and Yoshinori Muto coming on in the second half. Both new signings made positive impact on the game and their displays arguably warrant them a start in the squad’s next game against Cardiff. However, Shearer has delivered an accurate verdict on the game – Newcastle had a few positives, namely Kenedy’s presence in the midfield, and should have earned themselves a point. Nevertheless, these are only positives that Benitez can work on with the team to get themselves a victory next week – and he has a lot to be proud of following the match.
