Tottenham Hotspur's tactical experiment with Pedro Porro failed in a 2-0 home defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday. The loss leaves Roberto De Zerbi's side with consecutive Premier League defeats to start the season. Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa scored for the visitors at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where new signing Omar Marmoush made his debut.
De Zerbi made the bold decision to start right-back Pedro Porro as a winger due to Savio's injury. The move did not work. Porro took four shots but only one was on target, according to FotMob data. He failed to create a single chance from his wide position and completed just one unsuccessful cross. The Spaniard's performance highlighted his defensive instincts, with the manager criticized for trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.
Mathys Tel delivered a poor display that may cost him his starting place. The French forward was the primary wide option with Mohammed Kudus not ready to start. Tel had seven touches in the opposition box but created zero chances and managed just one shot on target. He failed with both dribble attempts and won only one of six duels. His performance was summed up by a late free-kick sent high into the stands.
The sole bright spot was debutant Omar Marmoush, who earned a team-high rating of 7. His introduction provided some attacking impetus, though it was not enough to change the game's outcome. Other players received middling marks, with Rodrigo Bentancur, Jan Paul van Hecke, and Mateus Fernandes each scoring a 6. The defensive unit, including Micky van de Ven and Archie Gray, was rated a 5.
Back-to-back defeats represent a worrying start for De Zerbi. The team now sits in the lower half of the standings after two matchweeks. The injury to Savio has exposed a lack of depth in wide areas, forcing the manager into unsuccessful experiments. With the transfer window closed, De Zerbi must find solutions within his current squad. The immediate focus turns to halting this negative momentum before the international break.
