Here is your Tottenham Hotspur morning digest on Monday, October 24.
Player ratings from Newcastle defeat
Spurs failed to continue their unbeaten record at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium yesterday was Newcastle continued their impressive early season form. First half goals from Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron put Eddie Howe's side ahead after a controversial VAR call involving Wilson and Hugo Lloris.
Harry Kane pulled a goal back for Antonio Conte's men but they failed to find a equaliser. The defeat means Spurs failed to cut the gap to Manchester City, who beat Brighton 3-1 on Saturday.
There wasn't many shining lights within the Tottenham team, here are our player ratings.
READ MORE: Hugo Lloris question, Eric Dier's moment of madness - 5 things spotted in Tottenham vs Newcastle
Romero and Hojbjerg absences explained
Tottenham were without key duo Cristian Romero and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg for the defeat to Newcastle. Their absences leave Antonio Conte with a growing list of injuries at the club, all coming at a far-from-ideal time for the coach.
The pair have been regular starters over the past season or two, adding not only their quality but the personality to continue battling.
While their loss will be huge, the reason for their absence is through a minor injury each, meaning there will be hopes that they could return to action as soon as possible. With such a congested fixture schedule before the break for the World Cup, squad depth is proving crucially important for Spurs, and they'll need those filling in to do their job as well as possible.
Conte after defeat to Newcastle
What did you make of the performance, you seemed much better in the second half?
Do you think? I think that instead in the first half we started really well and we played really well. Before they scored I think I have seen only team. It was Tottenham and Pope made two, three amazing saves, if we go to watch the game again.
Then we conceded this goal which for sure we can do much better. I don't want to comment on the referee's decision because you know I don't like to do it, but for sure, we can do much better in this situation. Then just a couple of minutes later, we conceded a second goal, and this second goal could kill everybody. Instead, if there is one side, I am happy it's seeing a good reaction from my players.
I have seen in the second half in this situation, you have a big risk to lose your mind, to lose your head and then risk to concede a lot of goals. We tried to score, we scored one goal and tried to create chances to level the game, but in the end, we didn't do it. In my personal opinion, I think the draw was the most fair result tonight.
Read the everyword to Conte's post match press conference here.
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