Garth Crooks has pinpointed Tanguy Ndombele and his first-half goal as the moment that changed the game on its head for Tottenham against Newcastle.
Writing in his weekly Team of the Week post for BBC Sport, the ex-Stoke City star believes a ‘superb’ goal from the French international was the catalyst that saw Spurs blow Newcastle away in the first half.
Although the Toon opened the scoring within the opening five minutes, Steve Bruce’s side were brought down to Earth. Ndombele quickly scored a wonderful goal to make the score level with Newcastle.
It was the midfielder’s first goal of the season and a key moment in the fixture. The 3-2 win put Tottenham fifth in the Premier League standings and just two points off third-place Manchester City.
And for Crooks, Ndombele stood out in the midfield for Spurs against Newcastle. With his goal being the changing point in the match.
The BBC Sport pundit wrote: “Tanguy Ndombele scored a superb equaliser and stood out in midfield. But that was because no one offered any real resistance. Newcastle were torn to shreds by a Tottenham side who for once were in the mood.”
Ndombele is proving Nuno wrong after Newcastle display
It seems crazy to think that not too long ago Ndombele looked set to leave north London with Nuno Espirito Santo seemingly eager to offload the former Olympique Lyonnais midfielder.
Now, the Tottenham star is proving both Nuno and certain Spurs supporters wrong. Ndombele was key to Nuno’s side claiming three huge points for spoiling Newcastle’s takeover party, and the 24-year-old now has the platform needed to build his form on.
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