Tottenham coach bemoans ‘worst 25 minutes ever’ after Premier League humiliation

Tottenham’s interim head coach Cristian Stellini has labelled the team’s first half performance against Newcastle as the worst performance he has ever seen as he comes to terms with Spurs’ embarrassing defeat against the Magpies.

Tottenham were 5-0 down after only 21 minutes following an incredible start to the match by their opponents and a stuttering start from Spurs themselves. 

They conceded goals in the second, sixth, ninth, 19th and 21st minutes as Newcastle ran riot at Saint James’ Park to all but end Spurs’ UEFA Champions League ambitions for next season. 

Speaking after the defeat, interim Tottenham manager, Stellini, who took over from Antonio Conte when the Italian was forced to leave the club, said he took responsibility for the poor opening to the match, but also added that he did not think that his time as manager was under threat following the disastrous defeat. 

When asked whether he could be in trouble after the defeat, Stellini said, “My position in doubt? This is not a question for me. No answer”

He also claimed there could be no explanation for Tottenham’s first half collapse, saying he had never seen anything like it before. 

“No words to explain a performance like this. First 25 mins were the worst I’ve ever seen. I take my responsibility.”

The loss leaves Tottenham’s hopes of being in the Champions League next season hanging by a thread, as they sit fifth on the table after only one win from their last five games. 

They are six points behind fourth-place Manchester United, who have played two games less and could even be overtaken by Liverpool, who are currently in seventh and have played one fewer game than Spurs.