Matthias Jaissle says the playing style he wants to implement at Newcastle United is already closely aligned with the club’s “DNA” after a 2-0 Premier League win at Tottenham on Saturday.
Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa scored in the second half to give Newcastle their first victory of the season and ensure Jaissle’s second league match in charge did not end in another late setback.
Newcastle had appeared on course to beat Liverpool in Jaissle’s opening game, only for a 99th-minute penalty to allow the visitors to claim a 2-2 draw at St James’ Park.
There was no repeat of that collapse at Tottenham, although the home side had the greater share of the attacking statistics. Spurs recorded 17 shots to Newcastle’s 11, had six efforts on target compared with two from the visitors, and finished with an expected goals figure of 1.04 to Newcastle’s 0.75.
Newcastle responded by competing strongly across the pitch, winning 52.6% of the match’s total duels. They also had to withstand early pressure, with Lukas Hornicek making several impressive saves to prevent Tottenham from taking the lead before the visitors improved after the interval.
The result continued Newcastle’s recent dominance in this fixture. Across the past five Premier League seasons, beginning in 2022-23, they have won seven of their nine meetings with Tottenham, drawing one and losing one. Only Manchester City have recorded more victories against a single opponent in that period, with eight wins against Fulham.
Jaissle, who succeeded Eddie Howe less than a month before the start of the campaign following Howe’s shock resignation, has taken four points from his first two league matches. He is the first Newcastle manager to reach that total in his opening two Premier League games since Sam Allardyce in 2007-08, when he also recorded one win and one draw.
“It was incredible and I’m really proud,” Jaissle told Sky Sports of his team’s performance.
“We are really proud as a club, as a coaching staff, to see a team on the pitch delivering the match plan at a high level already, but also seeing players fully committed to what we’re doing.
“This is a good start and a moment to enjoy. We also did well last week against Liverpool, therefore it was a step in the right direction again, against a strong opponent with huge signings during the transfer window.
“This is something we were aware of, but how we handled that challenge was amazing.
“It’s always the same as a coach; you try to emphasise where you could potentially stress the opponent. You find gaps, you analyse them, and this is what matters today.
“But in general, we try to keep our principles on the pitch independent of the opponent, and today it worked two or three times.”
Jaissle believes the team is beginning to absorb his methods, with Newcastle’s approach already showing similarities to the identity he wants to establish.
“The DNA of Newcastle United is a good fit for the playing style I like to see, so therefore I already saw some similarities in the past,” he added.
“Now we’ve used the time in the most efficient way, and I’m proud to see that working already.”
The Newcastle manager handed former Manchester City midfielder Nico Gonzalez his debut immediately after his £50m move earlier in the week. Gonzalez helped create the opening goal when his long pass towards the right wing was brought down by Amar Dedic, another summer arrival, in the build-up to Elanga’s finish.
Newcastle have already spent heavily during the transfer window, recruiting Bazoumana Toure, Aladji Bamba, Sean Steur and Ewen Jaouen as well as Nico Gonzalez, Dedic and Hornicek.
With the transfer window due to close on Tuesday, Jaissle says further additions remain possible, although he is satisfied with the strength of the current squad.
“We are realistic. We have high ambitions and we know what is needed, but the squad is strong,” he said.
“We saw that today, but there are still a couple of days left, and then, we can talk again.”
