Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has branded his side's 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United as an "unfair result," insisting his players did not deserve to leave the pitch on the wrong end of that scoreline.

The loss leaves Tottenham anchored to the foot of the Premier League table — a troubling position for a club with De Zerbi's ambitions and a squad expected to compete at a much higher level this season.

De Zerbi, who took charge at Spurs with a mandate to revive their fortunes, appeared frustrated in his post-match assessment, arguing that the performance warranted far more than the scoreboard reflected. The Italian coach's comments signal a belief that his side's underlying quality has yet to translate into results.

Newcastle United, meanwhile, claimed a commanding victory that strengthens their own standing in the top flight. The result underlines the gap that currently exists between the two clubs in the table, even if De Zerbi disputes the margin on the day.

For Tottenham, the immediate priority is halting a run of poor form that has left them rooted at the bottom. De Zerbi will hope that the character he sees in training begins to show on matchdays — and soon, before the gap to safety grows any larger.