Analysis: Pre-season optimism evaporates

[Getty Images] Spurs have finished 17th in the Premier League the past two seasons, staying up on the final day of 2025-26. But hopes were high for a much-improved campaign after manager Roberto de Zerbi spent over £300m in the summer, more than any other team. Yet, after an awful performance in the 3-0 loss at Brentford last week, Tottenham followed that up with another defeat, thousands of fans leaving the ground before the final whistle. Winger Savio, known as Savinho while at Manchester City before his £75m summer move, had made an impressive debut, scoring in the midweek 5-1 Carabao Cup victory over Charlton, but was ruled out because of what De Zerbi called "muscle fatigue". Striker Richarlison and midfielder James Maddison were also not included, but De Zerbi will be worried by the amount of chances Spurs missed, while they also conceded goals to both shots on target that Newcastle registered. Marmoush should have hit the target but volleyed wide in the first half, and also fired wide after a bright run from the halfway line, and later had an effort comfortably saved by Lukas Hornicek. Pedro Porro, playing in a more advanced position than normal at right wing had a number of opportunities, but had one shot blocked by a sliding Lewis Miley and another effort tipped over. Substitute Dominic Solanke flicked the ball goalwards late on, only for Lewis Hall to clear off the line on another frustrating evening. Spurs have now only won three of their past 23 home league games. Any pre-season optimism has gone.