Tottenham now sit fourth in the Premier League table, after their 5-1 victory over Newcastle on Sunday. Their position in the league was then helped by Arsenal, after they lost 3-0 to Crystal Palace on Monday.
The home side had 19 shots, six of which were on target and 61 per cent possession, against Eddie Howe’s side, who are now 15th. Not only did the win mean Spurs could continue their short winning streak from before the international break, it also helped them get one step closer to securing a Champions League spot for next season.
The Lilywhites now have eight games left, to try and finish the season in the strongest position and this will continue with their next game, which is away at Villa Park. Ahead of that fixture, football.london takes a look at what Antonio Conte did during the Newcastle tie.
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Constant celebration
After going 1-0 down to a 39th minute Fabian Schar goal, it took Tottenham just four minutes to score the equaliser, which came from a Ben Davies header. After this point, Spurs dominated the game, highlighted by the four goals they scored in the second half.
“Today I’m very happy because I have seen a strong team, despite the difficulty, don’t forget to play against Newcastle, it’s not easy. To score five goals is good for us,” Conte said in his post match press conference.
“It’s not the first time and in the last period, we are creating many chances to score. We are scoring a lot. I am enjoying seeing my team play in this way because I’m seeing great improvement in many aspects, tactical and technical and the mentality.”
The Italian is always very passionate with his celebrations on the touchline and this was the same at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday. Even when his side were 4-1 up, the 52-year-old would still run over to his coaching staff to hug and celebrate with them.
Pierluigi Gollini and Emerson Royal also both got involved in some of the goal celebrations with Conte and his coaching staff, from the substitute bench. This constant celebration reiterates the Italian’s passion and even when his side are in a comfortable winning position, he will still be jumping around on the sideline.
The Steven Bergwijn smile
There were a number of unlikely goal scorers in the match in N17 on Sunday. Royal, Matt Doherty and Davies all bagged goals against The Magpies.
Steven Bergwijn got the final goal of the game, making an impact from the bench like he did in the thrilling 3-2 victory against Leicester earlier in the season. The 24-year-old is someone that Conte has previously praised, despite his struggle for regular game time.
“For me he is an important player because he has characteristics that in our squad we don’t have many creative players. He is very good in one vs one, good to beat the man. He can play striker, he can play number 10 and for us, for me, he is an important player and we have to try to improve, to become stronger, not to lose a player and become less strong,” the Italian said earlier in the year.
The Holland international lived up to this on Sunday and his goal in the 83rd minute came from a Lucas Moura through ball. What some fans might’ve missed is that when the Brazilian played his teammate through, Conte was seen on the sideline pointing behind him with a big smile on his face.
As his player went to take his shot his expression could’ve only shown that he knew Bergwijn was going to score. Despite the 24-year-old not breaking into the Italian’s regular starting XI, Conte clearly still has the confidence in him to do whatever he can to help his team in the game, when he is given the opportunity and he didn’t disappoint.
Cohesive Conte team
Conte has received support from Tottenham fans ever since his arrival in north London. In most games, they can be heard chanting his name throughout.
The Italian will often stand and applaud the crowd, to show his appreciation for them too. On Sunday Conte also, a couple of times cheered towards the fans and punched the air, after Spurs’ goals.
This helps knock down the barrier between what happens on the pitch and those watching the game in the stadium. All the fans hope for is to see their team win and all the Italian wants is to help achieve that wish.
The cohesion between the 11 players on the pitch is also becoming clear, as well as their good relationship with their boss, which a number of them have spoken about since his arrival. Tottenham no longer look like individual players trying to get results from games, which they did in some at the beginning of the season.
They now look like a team working together and playing solid football, to generate positive results. Whether the team are in training or celebrating goals, they have smiles on their faces and look like they are enjoying playing again.
This was no different after the final whistle at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday. At full-time, Conte went on the pitch and went to congratulate all of his players and they did the same to one another too.
“I’m happy for the players because when they work hard you want to see the result of your work. Then I think the players they are enjoying to play in this way and also to dominate the game, to create all these situations to win the game,” the 52-year-old said after the game.
All Spurs now have to do is continue this cohesion and solid form for the final eight games of the season and hope that it will be enough to earn them Champions League football next season.