Newcastle 4-0 Tottenham: Electric Mags up to sixth as Toon batter Spurs again!

Newcastle strengthened their European hopes with another captivating win over Spurs, where Eddie Howe got it spot on and his players delivered in an electric display at St James' Park.

A quickfire double from Isak and Anthony Gordon around the half hour mark sent the Toon 2-0 up. Isak completed his brace five minutes into the second half and Schar added a cherry on top three minutes from full time.

The result comes amid yet more injury troubles on Tyneside with Eddie Howe forced to field a makeshift defence including Murphy at right back and Krafth at centre half, but both did incredibly well against a Spurs side who've often scored goals for fun this season.

After the game began with a cup-tie end-to-end feeling and at a frantic pace, Newcastle grew in confidence and were ahead after 30 minutes. Bruno, under pressure, found a fantastic ball to Gordon who beat his defender and slipped in Isak.

Talking of slipping, that’s exactly what van de Ven did, as Isak brought the ball round him, leaving him on the floor. Isak smashed it past the Spurs keeper for the lead and his 20th of the season in all comps.

Two minutes later, we were ahead again. And van de Ven was on his backside again. This time Gordon got on the end of a poor looped back pass from Pedro Porro, rounding the Dutch centre half to pick his spot in the back of the net.

Newcastle attacked the second half with the intensity that saw us grab our first half double. The third, and Isak’s second, came five minutes after the break. Another superb ball from Bruno beat Spurs’ very high line and Isak, who started his run from his own half, was clear through to score his brace.

Spurs never really looked like scoring and squandered a handful of chances through Timo Werner. The odd moment aside, we kept them at bay superbly, with Howe adopting a man-to-man marking system that saw Schar stifle Son, Longstaff stick to Maddison and Burn to Johnson, with Barnes and Anderson also doing superbly to thwart Porro down their right.

The Toon punished Spurs again with a corner whipped to the far corner of the six-yard-box by Gordon. Schar rose to meet it and thumped the ball home with his head. It was 4-0 and we had hammered Spurs at home again. Our set pieces caused Spurs problems all afternoon.

It felt again like the resurgence of the Newcastle of last season. We were defensively solid and resolute. Our pressing was intense and we took the game to Spurs especially in the opening moments of the second half.

Bruno was at his best, and the front three of Barnes, Isak and Gordon was a sight to behold. Isak is up to 17 goals in the league this season and, whisper it quietly, is hot on Haaland’s heels for the golden boot

Anderson was also outstanding and helped transform our midfield once again. He adds the sort of energy, intensity and aggression that we've so often missed in Joelinton's absence. His link up with Barnes was superb and Gordon was electric once again. A goal, two assists, relentless movement, so much hard work and some brilliant deliveries from set pieces, too.

The win means we move up to sixth, above West Ham and Manchester United who both play later than us. The Red Devils play in the later kick off, taking on Howe's former club Bournemouth at the Vitality.

It sets us up with the best chance to capitalise on our good form and make a big push for European qualification with a six games to play.

Next up, a trip to Selhurst Park to face Palace in two weeks time, a journey we undertake with wind in our sails.

STARTING XI: Dubravka - Murphy, Schar, Burn, Krafth - Longstaff, Bruno, Anderson - Gordon, Isak, Barnes.