London (AFP)

For its first match under the Saudi flag since its acquisition, Newcastle gave in to an invigorated Tottenham (3-2), Sunday for the 8th day of the Premier League, in a match interrupted by a discomfort in the stands shortly before the break.

- Tottenham play the spoilsport -

The festive atmosphere for welcoming the new owners of the Magpies, led by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund PIF, and Steve Bruce's 1,000th game as coach, was marred by the Magpies' 5th defeat in eight matches this season.

The discomfort of a spectator in the stands could even have mourned the event, without the rapid intervention of the Tottenham doctors, alerted by the public and the players just before half-time.

Hurried to his aid by crossing the field, the medical team apparently avoided the worst, according to the reassuring statement from the club indicating that the victim of the discomfort had been "stabilized" and was "on his way to the hospital" .

This incident and the brief interruption of the game decided by the referee cooled a crowd arrived in good humor, waving Saudi flags or wearing more or less traditional accessories in honor of their wealthy new main shareholder.

A frenzy that seemed to carry their players who opened the scoring in the 2nd minute by Callum Wilson.

But the result was disappointing for the locals, with Spurs confirming the improvement seen before the international break with Tanguy Ndombele in charge, when he seemed undesirable at the start of the season.

The French equalized in the 17th minute and was then very active in a playmaker role, supported by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Oliver Skipp.

Five minutes later, Harry Kane scored his first league goal by intelligently extending a ball from Hojbjerg (22nd).

Son Heung-min hit the nail on the head after the intervention of the trainers at the end of the first period after a magnificent collective action, facing a defense of the Magpies who seemed distracted (45th + 4).

A goal against his own camp by Eric Dier at the end of regulation time (89th) was not enough to put a Newcastle team back on track, which had evolved at 10 for six minutes.

Newcastle United coach Steve Bruce unhappy with his players 'behavior against Tottenham at St James' Park on October 17, 2021 Paul ELLIS AFP

Tottenham is making a nice comeback in the standings, 5th 4 points behind leaders Chelsea, while Newcastle remains 19th with 3 units and zero wins in 8 days.

If they certainly knew the scale of the construction site before arriving, the new owners of the Magpies will probably find the time long before the international truce in January, their first window to improve the workforce.

Steve Bruce risks being at that moment only a distant memory, as his days seem numbered at the head of the team.

- West Ham trap Everton -

After Manchester United and Brighton, who also lost ground on Saturday, Everton won from the lead car on Sunday, beaten (1-0) by West Ham, more sharp.

The other Liverpool club were aiming for a place on the podium but finally found themselves relegated to eighth position (14 pts).

The duel between Rafael Benitez and David Moyes is a classic of the Premier League, which the Spaniard still largely dominates after this defeat (11 wins and 3 draws in 18 games).

The disappointment of Everton players trapped at home by West Ham United, October 17, 2021 in Liverpool Lindsey Parnaby AFP

Deprived of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, injured, and Richarlison, returned late from his matches with Brazil, Everton has too rarely out of position the Londoners, well organized.

The Italian central defender of the Hammers Angelo Ogbonna scored the only goal of the match from a corner with an uncrossed header at the near post towards the small net (74 ').

Everton, who have taken just four points in their last four games, will have to react if they do not want to spoil their promising start to the season.

© 2021 AFP