Tottenham 1; Newcastle United 0: "If is the biggest word in football, fella," was Bobby Robson's spiky response to one questioner last night.

Yesterday there was one "if" that Robson may rue at this season's end as the opportunity to regain fourth place passed him by, an outcome only mitigated by Liverpool's defeat.

Twenty-five minutes had elapsed when Mauricio Taricco brought down Aaron Hughes in the Tottenham penalty area. Though the Argentinian's contact appeared inadvertent, Robson leapt from the bench in protest at the referee's denial. The Newcastle manager, further incensed when Craig Bellamy's demands for a spot-kick after close attention from Anthony Gardner were refused, berated the referee Howard Webb into the tunnel at half-time.

"The penalty decision was a nonsense," said Robson. "A clear-cut, stonewall certainty. I was quite honest with the referee at half-time. I said, 'I want you and your linesman to have the courage to give that penalty because you both pulled out of it.'

"Those were two crucial decisions that have not helped us. We did not deserve to lose that game. Apart from the first 10 minutes, we were in charge from start to finish."

Impugning an official's bravery may not help in the long run, either, especially as Webb had the gumption not to cave in to demands for bookings on a day of slippery conditions and stern challenges. "It was a good English game and there were no yellow cards. Personally I thought the referee handled it well," countered David Pleat.

The Spurs manager was smiling on a day that saw Jermain Defoe, Frederic Kanoute and Robbie Keane used in concert for the first time, a line-up that initially caused confusion among the visiting defence. Soon Christian Ziege's shot deflected off Defoe and fell to an unmarked Gary Doherty 12 yards out. But the Republic of Ireland centre-half shot wide.

At the other end Kasey Keller pulled off a tremendous stop with his legs to deny Olivier Bernard from 25 yards out, but the erratic American almost put his side in trouble soon after when he spilled a high ball. It gave Alan Shearer possession on the edge of the box but the former England captain, in his 300th start for Newcastle, played a first touch that took it too close to Doherty, who was allowed to clear.

Kanoute, starting his first Tottenham game since January 10th, was marauding down the right-wing channel in an attempt to give Spurs some width. But it did not avail his side as much as the forward movement of the visiting strikers, and on 70 minutes the Frenchman gave way to Jamie Redknapp, who thus made his first appearance since September 20th.

"He brings calm and composure to a game," enthused Pleat. "We looked a team at the end with Jamie."

However, it was the introduction of Stephane Dalmat that made the difference. The on-loan Internazionale midfielder escaped Woodgate to the byline before sending in the dangerous kind of cross that leaves defenders unsure of the best course of action.

As his goalkeeper advanced to meet the ball, Andy O'Brien chose to deal with the threat but only succeeded in turning the ball into his own net, giving Tottenham the lead at a critical time. Webb was again made aware of Robson's disaffection after the final whistle four minutes later.

Robson knows the importance of Champions League football in the north-east, though Pleat would question whether it is their desert. "Newcastle a Champions League side? I'm not quite sure about that," said Pleat. "Fourth place is wide open, for a lot of teams."

Yet there was a candid irony in Pleat's assessment of whether his own side is capable of making it. "We're just concentrating on the next game. We're like Arsenal like that."

Guardian Service

Republic of Ireland international Gary Doherty has signed a new deal with Tottenham to extend his career at White Hart Lane.

The length of the new contract has not been revealed by the club but it is only his second since joining Spurs from Luton in March 2000.

Manager David Pleat said: "Gary came from Luton three years ago, he did well up front, helped us win a couple of important FA Cup ties but then he broke his leg and went backwards.

"We never adjusted his contract, the whole thing was put on ice and he was the victim of circumstances so we're pleased to give him the opportunity to sign a new contract."