Tottenham Hotspur vs. Newcastle United: Final score 0-1, Tim Krul keeps Spurs at bay

Newcastle United clinched another victory to extend their recent good form by beating a disappointing Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane courtesy of a goal from Loic Remy.

Spurs were guilty of self-sabotage for the goal, and never really got going in a game that typified many of the season's problems, as they struggled to score despite the game being relatively open for much of the 90 minutes, although a heroic performance from Tim Krul also played a significant part.

Roberto Soldado went close early on with a header before Yohan Cabaye played in the in-form Remy at the other end, only for the Frenchman to see himself denied by a fine tackle from Vlad Chiriches, as the game got off to a bright start.

Spurs fans would have hoped that the open nature of the game could allow the team to express themselves. But they shot themselves in the foot afterwards, with Paulinho guilty of a terrible mistake in trying to tun through the middle and surrendering possession with the Spurs defence ill-positioned, allowing Remy to escape the attention of his markers and slot the ball past Brad Friedel.

Soldado went close again afterwards as Spurs pressed for an equaliser, with a fine improvised header from Christian Eriksen's free-kick, but Krul pulled out a magnificent save to deny him — something that would become a theme for the rest of the game.

Shola Ameobi had the ball in the net for the visitors just before half-time, but the goal was rightly ruled out for falling foul of the hosts' offside trap. Paulinho then attempted to atone for his earlier error with a fine curling effort, but once again Krul kept it out.

An injury to Chiriches meant that he had to be replaced by Younes Kaboul at half-time, with Sandro also coming on in Moussa Dembele's place. Spurs seemed to initially regain some of their urgency, and Krul was once again called into action for a fantastic save to deny Eriksen from close range, although the Dane really ought to have scored.

Spurs were then given a chance to level from a free-kick, and appeared to get some luck when Gylfi Sigurdsson's effort was deflected away from the diving Krul, but the Dutchman somehow once again pulled off a magnificent save, switching direction to save and then denying Kaboul the chance to score from the follow-up.

Alan Pardew took the opportunity to begin making defensive substitutions and sitting deeper, but it was still Krul who stood between Spurs and the chance to get something from the game. Good work from the sibstitute Jermain Defoe and Eriksen found Paulinho arriving, but the Newcastle keeper once again kept his side in the lead.

That proved to be all Spurs had, and the questions over their failure to score goals continue. But although today their play was better, they were simply unable to find a way past Tim Krul, who gave one of the best goalkeeping displays of the season to earn a huge three points for Newcastle.

Tottenham Hotspur: Friedel; Walker, Vertonghen, Dawson, Chiriches (Kaboul 46'); Paulinho, Dembele (Sandro 46'), Eriksen, Sigurdsson (Defoe 69'), Townsend, Soldado

Newcastle United: Krul; Debuchy, Williamson, Yanga-Mbiwa, Santon; Sissoko, Tiote (c), Cabaye, Gouffran; Shola Ameobi (Anita 60'), Remy (Cisse 75'.)

Goals: Remy (14)'

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