Following a dismal evening at Old Trafford on Wednesday after slumping to a 2-0 defeat at Manchester United, it certainly does not get any easier for Antonio Conte and his Tottenham team. Needing to bounce back immediately in order to maintain their place in the Premier League's top three, a Newcastle United side who have been quietly going about their business travel to the capital on Sunday.
Currently sitting sixth in the league table after winning three of their last four matches, Eddie Howe's team have only lost once in their 11 league fixtures so far this term. Drawing six of those games, Newcastle fans maybe feel they should be a bit higher in the standings after just lacking that killer touch in front of goal to turn draws into victories.
Bruno Guimaraes is undoubtedly the star of the Magpies team at present after playing a starring role for the club following his big-money January move from Lyon, but it is a fellow January addition who Tottenham will also need to keep a very close eye on. The player in question is in fact someone all connected with Spurs are very familiar with.
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Eyebrows were maybe raised at the turn of the year when Kieran Trippier swapped high-flying Atletico Madrid in Spain for a relegation battle with Newcastle, yet the player's big gamble at the time has paid off. Helping the Toon Army turn a corner before a metatarsal injury left him on the sidelines for a couple of months at such a key point in the campaign, Trippier has gone from strength to strength and played an integral role in their form this season.
Not only are Newcastle riding high in the table and looking to gatecrash the top six, they also have the best defensive record in the league having only conceded nine goals. Following Wednesday's win over Everton at St James' Park, it was no surprise to see Howe hail the right-back, who has worn the captain's armband for Newcastle this season with Jamaal Lascelles on the bench, for his contribution in defence and also going forward.
“I’m delighted with him,” said the manager, as reported by i. “I thought he was excellent against Everton, very aggressive in his defending in the first half especially and an outlet at times on that right hand side. In and out of possession he was first class. My focus isn’t England but he has been outstanding for Newcastle.”
Trippier has been a key outlet down the right flank for Newcastle during his time at the club, contributing with goals and assists since his move to Tyneside. Hitting two goals in his first four league appearances for the Magpies, he has one goal and two assists from his first 12 games in 2022/23.
His assists maybe could be slightly higher with some better finishing considering the amount of opportunities he has teed up for his teammates. As per Soccerment, Trippier has created a total of 26 chances for Newcastle in his 11 Premier League games, with only Kevin De Bruyne and Mohamed Salah ahead of him on 33 and 27 respectively.
Level with Tottenham's Ivan Perisic for successful crosses after both achieving 13, he is only two behind Bruno Fernandes and Leandro Trossard for through balls after making seven, the same number as his Newcastle teammate Guimaraes. The numbers are very impressive from a Newcastle United perspective and it is something Tottenham do need to be very wary of on Sunday afternoon.
Set to be the first time he has returned to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since his departure in the summer of 2019, Trippier could well show the home faithful just what they are missing down the right flank going on his aforementioned numbers and also Spurs' creative woes at times. Such a key position in the Tottenham team with Conte playing with wing-backs, the Lilywhites have had a few issues on the right as Emerson Royal has struggled in an attacking sense as he is a right-back by trade and Matt Doherty has had to battle back from a knee injury after previously recapturing his best form.
Looking on course to be a starter for England at a second successive World Cup, Trippier has demonstrated during his short spell at Newcastle just how good a player he is and what an incredible piece of business it was from the club at the start of the year. Tottenham are going to have to keep close tabs on him this Sunday if his start to the season is anything to go by.
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