Newcastle 0 Tottenham 2: Kyle Walker-Peters shines on Premier League debut, both sides need signings, and Jonjo Shelvey fails to learn from mistakes
TOTTENHAM cruised past Newcastle in the second half at St James' Park as they downed the Magpies to win 2-0.
Goals from Dele Alli and Ben Davies gifted the win for Maurico Pochettino's men as they kicked-off their quest to be crowned as Premier League champions in the best way possible.
Last season's runners-up proved why they are serious contenders for the title this time around against a spirited Newcastle performance.
Here's what we learnt from Sunday afternoon's early clash...
STUPID SHELVEY
He just seems to never learn from his mistakes.
Newcastle were matching Spurs going into the second half, but Jonjo Shelvey needlessly decided to stamp on Dele Alli's ankle when the former MK Dons star was sitting on the ground.
Shown a straight red card just three minutes after the break, he let down his side who had to withstand an onslaught of pressure from the Lilywhites.
That was his third red card in the Premier League having previously been given an early bath when playing for Liverpool against Everton, while he was also shown his marching orders when at Swansea.
He has also been handed a retrospective four-match suspension for violent conduct after clashing with Emre Can.
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BOTH SIDES NEED MORE SIGNINGS
If Newcastle weren't thinking of any bringing in any more recruits before the transfer window, they will now.
They lost defenders Paul Dummett and Florian Lejeune in the first half, with skipper Jamaal Lascelles and Chancel Mbemba coming on, while Jonjo Shelvey will face time out to serve his suspension.
It means they are running scarce in the centre-back department, with owner Mike Ashley seemingly having to dip into his pockets to fund Rafa Benitez's demands.
Even though there were no injury concerns for their opponents, they still need another forward to compete with Kane.
Vincent Janssen is not up to the standard for Spurs, and they need another striker to share the burden.
Fans are crying out for a marquee signing, if anything just to boost the atmosphere around North London.
SPURS' TITLE CREDENTIALS
They're the only side in the top seven not to make any major signings, and it showed early on.
Mauricio Pochettino's side failed to create any clear-cut chances in the first half, and looked vulnerable when Newcastle broke on the counter, but were completely dominant in the second period.
A real positive for them was the performance of Moussa Sissoko who looked back to his best where he was strong in the middle, and powerful when gliding with the ball before being replaced by Son Heung-min.
Despite a lack of opportunities in the first 45 minutes, they still continues to press and got a deserved lead when Dele Alli netted on the hour mark.
And when Ben Davies doubled their tally, it was nothing short of what they deserved.
They never let Newcastle back in the game, and with a couple of new additions, will be a force to be reckoned with yet again.
NEWCASTLE TO AVOID DROP
If Rafa Benitez was manager of the Magpies two season's ago, they wouldn't have suffered the drop, and they won't this time around.
Despite the lack of any real major signings this summer, they posed a threat for Spurs when breaking on the counter.
Christian Atsu - who made his loan deal from Chelsea permanent in the summer, was a constant pain for Tottenham in the opening period, and was arguably one of the most exciting players on the pitch to watch.
Stuipid mistakes still continue to derail a good performance for last campaign's Championship winners such as Shelvey's red card.
They were outclassed today against a far superior and hungry team - no shame in that, with few clubs to be able to match the quality of Spurs this season.
PERFECT KYLE WALKER REPLACEMENT?
If his name is anything to go by, most certainly. Kyle Walker-Peters - making his Premier League debut, was nothing short of outstanding.
Booming down the right flank whenever possible, and holding his position well at the back, Kieran Trippier will be left worried he might have to play second fiddle to another Walker.
Struggling at times in the first half to thwart Atsu from advancing, he sussed him out and dealt with him with ease in the second period.
Pochettino has unearthed another gem.
