Tottenham offer to reimburse supporters who were at their 6-1 defeat v Newcastle

• Tottenham’s players have offered to reimburse their supporters who were at St James’ Park on Sunday to witness their 6-1 thumping by Newcastle.

Spurs put in a dismal display against Eddie Howe’s side as they went 5-0 down within 21 minutes.

Harry Kane pulled a goal back in the second half before Callum Wilson added a sixth shortly after coming on in the second half to leave Spurs’ Champions League hopes hanging by a thread.

Acting head coach Cristian Stellini sacked following the result, with the Italian lasting just four games in the role and he will be replaced by Ryan Mason – who had a similar stint as caretaker boss back in 2021 after Jose Mourinho was dismissed.

And on Tuesday, a statement from the players was released by the club where they apologised for the performance.

It said: ‘As a squad, we understand your frustration, your anger. It wasn’t good enough. We know words aren’t enough in situations like this but believe us, a defeat like this hurts. We appreciate your support, home and away, and with this in mind we would like to reimburse fans with the cost of their match tickets from St James’ Park.

‘We know this does not change what happened on Sunday and we will give everything to put things right against Manchester United on Thursday evening when, again, your support will mean everything to us. Together – and only together – can we move things forward.’

Stellini had apologised to supporters after the result on Sunday as he said: ‘We have to apologise with everyone — and I hope that today is my responsibility, because changing system was my decision. I hope it was this that was the problem.’

Chairman Daniel Levy released a ‘club update’ on Monday night, explaining the managerial changes while he took ‘ultimate responsibility’ for the result.

Levy worded his critical message: ‘Sunday’s performance against Newcastle was wholly unacceptable. It was devastating to see.

‘We can look at many reasons why it happened and whilst myself, the Board, the coaches and players must all take collective responsibility, ultimately the responsibility is mine.

He further added: ‘I met with the Player Committee today – the squad is determined to pull together to ensure the strongest possible finish to the season.

‘We are all clear we need to deliver performances which earn your amazing support.’

Members of the club’s Player Committee that Levy met with include Spurs captain Hugo Lloris, England skipper Harry Kane, and midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

Their performance against Newcastle was one of the worst in the club’s history and their horrific start was the second worst ever by a Premier League side – only beaten by Watford who went 5-0 down against Man City inside 18 minutes in 2019 on their way to an 8-0 defeat that day.