Tottenham's impressive start to the Premier League season is coming undone following a third defeat in five matches.
Antonio Conte's side were beaten 2-1 by Newcastle on a rainy afternoon in north London on Sunday.
Both sides struggled to string passes together in the difficult conditions after the break, but the damage had been done for Spurs by then as the hosts conceded twice late in the first period.
Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was at fault for the first Newcastle goal as he came racing out of his area and failed to control the ball before colliding with striker Callum Wilson, who curled the ball into the unguarded net.
Lloris believed he had been fouled and Spurs' players protested, but replays showed there was no infraction and the Frenchman should have done better.
🗣 “It was nice to be back on the grass but I would have liked to have performed a bit better”An honest assessment from Skippy after #TOTNEW ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/D1kUxHmJQVOctober 23, 2022
Nine minutes later, a poor clearance from Lloris was intercepted by Miguel Almiron and the Paraguayan produced a moment of brilliance with a fine run and finish.
But both Ryan Sessegnon and Clement Lenglet looked passive in their attempts to halt the South American and Conte will have been disappointed with their defending.
Spurs pulled a goal back with a Harry Kane header in the second half, but did not do enough after that and suffered their first home loss of the season.
Conte's side were well beaten at Old Trafford in a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United on Wednesday night as well, having lost 3-1 at Arsenal earlier this month.
Cristian Romero and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg missed this match with minor injuries, while Richarlison remains sidelined.
Spurs are next in action against Sporting CP in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Newcastle, meanwhile, are up to fourth place in the Premier League (two points behind Spurs) following their fourth win in five matches and Eddie Howe's side have only lost once all season – a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in late August.
