TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1; NEWCASTLE UNITED 3: Newcastle will appreciate the tales about London buses. Having gone four years without a win in the capital, two victories have arrived in quick succession. After their success at Arsenal last month, this recovery from a goal down strengthened their title challenge.
Newcastle were poor in a first half during which they fell behind to Steffen Iversen's early goal but Spurs lost their initial fizz and the visitors were vastly improved after the interval. Inspired by Craig Bellamy, Newcastle scored three times in 11 second-half minutes through Clarence Acuna, Alan Shearer and Bellamy for a deserved three points.
Newcastle's chances of securing the win they needed to move back to within two points of the leaders Manchester United had not looked promising. With Kieron Dyer, Gary Speed and Rob Lee absent because of injury, their midfield was weakened.
Newcastle deployed the inexperienced Jamie McClen alongside Acuna in central midfield, and Bobby Robson, mindful of Gus Poyet's attacking qualities from deep, asked Aaron Hughes to mark the Uruguayan in front of his back three.
Poyet barely figured early on last night, though that did not prevent Spurs taking a lead through Iversen as they sought to repeat the 5-1 hammering they gave Chelsea here in their last match. There were initial signs to please Glenn Hoddle as Spurs dominated, looking to release their wing-backs down the flanks while inevitably using Teddy Sheringham and Darren Anderton as the fulcrums for their passing game.
A typically neat touch by Sheringham came close to releasing Iversen before the Norwegian got his second goal in two games from a set-piece. Ledley King's shot from an Anderton corner was blocked but Dean Richards headed the loose ball to Iversen, who finished sharply.
Although Spurs lost some of their fluency up to half-time, they had little to worry about at the other end. Occasional bright moments from Newcastle brought no goal threat until Bellamy was denied by Neil Sullivan when he sprinted on to a poor back header by Richards.
The sight of substitute Laurent Robert replacing Robbie Elliott for the second half was scarcely a surprise - Robert had clearly been missed. Newcastle did find more rhythm and pose more of a threat, and three times might have scored inside 20 minutes as Bellamy caused growing problems with his pace.
The striker screwed a shot wide when released by Shearer and almost set up Robert before winning a foul from which Acuna headed in Robert's free-kick. Three minutes later Bellamy broke down the left and crossed for Shearer to slide in from close range at the far post.
Guardian Service
TOTTENHAM: Sullivan, Perry, King, Richards, Davies (Etherington 70), Anderton, Sherwood, Poyet (Leonhardsen 87), Taricco, Sheringham (Rebrov 86), Iversen. Subs Not Used: Kelly, Thelwell. Booked: Richards. Goals: Iversen 17.
NEWCASTLE: Given, O'Brien, Elliott (Robert 46), Dabizas, Distin, Solano, Acuna, Hughes, McClen, Shearer, Bellamy. Subs Not Used: Barton, Harper, Ameobi, Kerr. Booked: Distin. Goals: Acuna 67, Shearer 69, Bellamy 78.
Referee: M Dean (The Wirral).
