There are football fixtures that mean more than just pre-season preparations and, in August 2025, Tottenham Hotspur’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle United in Seoul was one such contest. While the scoreboard suggested a routine friendly, the match echoed far beyond the pitch, marking a poignant farewell for Son Heung-min and serving as a crucial test for two sides eyeing a strong start to the upcoming Premier League season.
Farewell to a Tottenham Icon
No story from this match overshadowed the emotional departure of Son Heung-min. After ten years of dazzling White Hart Lane crowds and achieving global superstardom, Son took the captain’s armband for one final time in his native South Korea. The affection was palpable: his teammates formed a guard of honour, fans celebrated his legacy with banners, and the 33-year-old winger shed visible tears as he waved goodbye. The game was more than a send-off; it was a celebration of a player whose tenacity, creativity, and humility made him a club icon and a symbol of Asian football’s rise.
Early Spurs Advantage and Newcastle Response
Tottenham opened with intent, their pressing forcing Newcastle’s Jacob Murphy into a mistake, which Brennan Johnson ruthlessly punished. His early shot, deflected off Dan Burn, gave Spurs a third-minute lead. Johnson paid tribute to Son with a signature celebration, underscoring the day’s emotional backdrop.
Newcastle, however, were not discouraged. Eddie Howe’s side, though lacking a traditional striker and still searching for summer reinforcements, found life through Harvey Barnes. The winger finished a smooth team move, set up by Joelinton and Anthony Gordon, with a clinical strike into the far corner just before half-time. The Magpies’ resilience was notable, especially after an unsettling series of defeats in pre-season friendlies.
Key Incidents: Injuries, Trialists, and Tactical Tweaks
Neither coach was able to field a full-strength side, but the match provided key indicators ahead of the new campaign. Tottenham’s new manager Thomas Frank was forced into an early change after James Maddison, only just back from his previous knee injury, went down in visible anguish. The playmaker left the field on a stretcher, dealing Spurs an untimely blow less than two weeks out from their league opener. Frank described the incident as a “brutal moment,” revealing that the injury appeared to be a recurrence. Maddison’s fitness may prove critical to Spurs’ ambitions as they seek to break back into the top four.
Both managers rotated their squads heavily in the second half, with Newcastle’s Lewis Hall making a long-awaited return while Spurs handed minutes to several academy prospects and summer signings. From Newcastle’s perspective, a stable defensive display and Nick Pope’s heroics between the posts gave reason for optimism in spite of their uneven pre-season form.
Head-to-Head: History and Recent Trends
Tottenham and Newcastle share one of the Premier League’s liveliest fixtures. Notably, none of their previous 60 league meetings has ever ended 0-0, underlining the attacking intent both clubs usually display. Despite Tottenham’s historical edge in this rivalry (74 wins to Newcastle’s 64), recent meetings have favoured the Magpies, who have won five of the last six encounters. Newcastle did the double over Spurs in the 2024-25 league season, further adding a competitive edge to this pre-season draw.
What the Stats Say
A glance at team statistics reveals why this match was so closely contested. Both sides are nearly equal in their head-to-head over the past three decades, with goals and clean sheets shared evenly. In this particular game, Tottenham’s pace and high pressing unsettled Newcastle early, but Eddie Howe’s side regained composure, moving the ball smartly and testing Spurs’ new signings.
Tactics and Takeaways
The tactical chess match offered clues about how each team might approach the upcoming campaign. Tottenham, under Frank, look set to emphasise ball retention and sharp transitions. Despite their early lead, Spurs failed to capitalise on further chances, highlighting a need for sharper finishing and depth in attacking areas—especially with Son’s departure.
Newcastle, impacted by striker Alexander Isak’s transfer uncertainty and several failed bids for new faces, displayed greater balance and resolve than in previous friendlies. The Magpies’ midfield, led by Bruno Guimaraes, provided composure, while Harvey Barnes was a lively attacking threat. Howe will hope returning players, like Hall and Isak, can boost their firepower for a return to European football.
The Road Ahead
As both sides return home to fine-tune preparations for their Premier League openers, key questions remain. Can Tottenham find the goals to replace Son and maintain composure without Maddison? Will Newcastle’s summer recruitment be enough to consolidate their top-six credentials? What is clear is that, judging by this encounter’s intensity and emotional charge, the rivalry between Spurs and Newcastle will remain one of English football’s most intriguing subplots this season.
Read more; Scotrail
