‘We should apologise to the fans’: Hugo Lloris slams Tottenham for a ‘lack of fight’ and being ‘second to every ball’ after collapsing to a 6-1 defeat against Newcastle
Hugo Lloris has admitted Tottenham ‘lacked fight’ after collapsing to a humiliating 6-1 defeat to Newcastle at St James’ Park.
Newcastle stormed into a 5-0 lead after just 21 minutes, with Jacob Murphy and Alexander Isak scoring twice and Joelinton also on target.
Harry Kane pulled back a consolation for Spurs at the start of the second half, before substitute Callum Wilson put Newcastle 6-1 up with his first touch.
Lloris, who was substituted at half-time with a hip muscle injury, admitted the Spurs team needed to apologise for their display.
The Tottenham captain admitted the team lacked pride and fight against Newcastle.
Tottenham captain Hugo Lloris said the team lacked pride after being thrashed by Newcastle
Newcastle thumped Tottenham 6-1 in one of the most remarkable results of the season so far
Spurs found themselves 5-0 down after a disastrous opening 21 minutes of the match
‘It is very embarrassing, we should apologise to the fans,’ Lloris told Sky Sports. ‘We didn’t show a great face today. We could not match Newcastle’s performance.
‘We were late in all the aspects. We completely missed the first part of the game. It is really painful today. It is not talking about tactics, we could not fight.
‘Newcastle had a great performance. They were very aggressive and offensive.
It is difficult to assess. There was a lack of pride. To concede four goals in 20 minutes. We could not even react and bounce back.
‘We can try to find excuses but the first thing is, we miss the fight. In football if you go without the desire to show aggressiveness it makes it very hard.
‘We cannot hide behind the club problems. We are professional but today there was too much lacking. There was a difference in level between Newcastle and Tottenham.
‘We have two other very difficult games and bounce back.’
The defeat added to Tottenham’s mounting problems with Cristian Stellini in temporary charge after Antonio Conte’s departure, while managing director Fabio Paratici resigned this week after failing to overturn his two-and-a-half year ban from football.
Spurs remain fifth in the Premier League after the loss, but are now six points behind Newcastle and Manchester United in the race for Champions League qualification.
Both Newcastle and Man United have a game in hand on Spurs.