£300m spent, bottom of the table... but Spurs boss De Zerbi 'not angry'
August 29, 2026 21:15
Tottenham lost 2-0 at home to Newcastle, with Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa scoring in a 10-minute spell after half-time. The defeat was Spurs’ second successive league loss and left them bottom of the Premier League after two games this season.
Manager Roberto de Zerbi said he was "not angry" and that there was "no panic", while acknowledging disappointment for the supporters and calling the scoreline unfair. Thousands of home fans left the stadium early.
KEY CONTEXT
- Tottenham spent more than £300m in the recent transfer window as part of a major squad overhaul. Key arrivals listed in the source include Sandro Tonali (from Newcastle) for £100m, Mateus Fernandes (from West Ham) for £85m, Jan Paul van Hecke (from Brighton) for £52m, and Savio (from Manchester City) for £75m; Marcos Senesi, Andy Robertson and Martin Dubravka arrived on free transfers. Omar Marmoush made his debut on loan from Manchester City, with a permanent £60m deal set for next summer.
- The club’s recent domestic record at their stadium has been poor: only three home league wins in their last 23 matches there.
- Spurs narrowly avoided relegation last season, finishing clear on the final day, and were 17th in both 2024-25 and 2025-26. They had higher European achievements recently, winning the Europa League two seasons ago and reaching the Champions League last 16 in March.
WHY IT MATTERS
Tottenham’s heavy summer spending was intended to end recent Premier League struggles and push the club back toward European places. Instead, they have started the campaign with two defeats and no goals, occupying 20th place after two fixtures. The result fuels questions about how quickly a large influx of new players can be integrated and whether de Zerbi can change the club’s recent domestic trajectory.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- Whether de Zerbi can forge cohesion among the many new signings and improve defensive organisation, as he has highlighted.
- How quickly fringe and recent signings who missed this match (for example Savio, who was absent due to "muscle fatigue") can be integrated.
- Upcoming results and performances will be critical in measuring progress after the Brentford loss the previous week and this Newcastle defeat.
KEY FACTS
- Newcastle won 2-0; goal scorers were Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa.
- Tottenham have won three of their past 23 home league matches at their stadium.
- Spurs have played two Premier League matches this season: lost both, scored none, and sit 20th.
- Summer signings mentioned include Tonali (£100m), Fernandes (£85m), van Hecke (£52m), Savio (£75m); Omar Marmoush debuted on loan with a planned £60m permanent move next summer.
- Tottenham had 17 shots with six on target but failed to score; Newcastle converted both of their attempts on target.