Tottenham first half player ratings vs Newcastle - Johnson scores, Bentancur calm and Son busy

Tottenham are playing Newcastle United in a pre-season friendly in South Korea and here are our first half Tottenham player ratings from the encounter.

The match could be Son Heung-min's final game for Spurs after it emerged that the Korean star would be exiting the north London club after telling new head coach Frank that he wished to go. The Spurs captain later confirmed the news at a press conference in Seoul with MLS side LAFC progressing in talks with Tottenham to sign Son.

So this pre-season fixture against Newcastle may be the final time the former Golden Boot-winner plays for the north London club and he is doing so in front of 66,000 of his country's fans inside the Seoul World Cup Stadium.

Spurs opened the scoring just three minutes in when Frank's side pressed high up the pitch and won the ball back with Kevin Danso sliding in Brennan Johnson to hit a fine finish into the bottom left corner.

Tottenham had a big chance to score a second when Mathys Tel ran through alone only to have his effort saved by Nick Pope.

Newcastle did managed to break and equalise themselves. Anthony Gordon found Harvey Barnes and he hit a rocket of a shot off the left-hand post with Antonin Kinsky beaten at his near post.

Here are our first half Spurs player ratings:

Antonin Kinsky

Made a good punch in a crowded box just after the half hour mark. Was beaten at his near post by Barnes though for Newcastle's equaliser. 5

Pedro Porro

Beaten to a header in his box by Joelinton that flashed just wide before having a curling free-kick saved by Pope at the other end. Hit a beautiful crossfield pass to Son that led to a blocked shot from the captain. Couldn't stop Barnes' goal but did manage to block his next effort. 6

Kevin Danso

Played a good pass into the path of Johnson for an early assist. Fluffed an early block and let Gordon get in for what could have been a goal. 7

Cristian Romero

Dealt well with Gordon on a couple of occasions and got involved in a clash in the box late in the half. 7

Ben Davies

Plenty of energy but struggled at times to stop Newcastle getting down his flank. 6

Rodrigo Bentancur

Started the game like a well-oiled machine and never looked rushed or hassled on the ball. 8

Archie Gray

Really promising first half from the midfielder despite a clash of heads, with some good runs, passes and dribbling. 7

Pape Matar Sarr

Playing as the number 10, the Senegal international had an early shot saved by Pope. He left space in behind him at times though by pushing too far up. 6

Brennan Johnson

Opened the scoring with a terrific low finish inside the left-hand post and was a threat down the right with his movement. 7

Mathys Tel

Should have scored Spurs' second after running clear through but after a couple of stepovers, the Frenchman's shot was saved by Pope. Plenty of work but should have done so much better with that chance. Played a lovely reverse pass to Son on the hour mark which the captain couldn't quite take advantage of. 5

Son Heung-min

The man of the moment and he got involved in plenty of the action without quite finding the final product. 6