Michael Owen amongst the goals again

Tottenham 1 Newcastle 4

NEWCASTLE UNITED put in a wonderful performance in the capital today as they pulled off an emphatic win over Tottenham Hotspur.

The win also calmed the waters on Tyneside with Newcastle now nine points clear of the relegation zone with six games to go.

Nicky Butt’s equaliser on the stroke of half-time cancelled out Darren Bent’s opener with second half goals from Geremi, Michael Owen and Oba Martins making it a terrific day for the black and whites.

KK stuck with the team that defeated Fulham last weekend with Owen, Mark Viudka and Martins all starting the game up front in an adventurous formation away from home – and it paid off in real style.

And Newcastle made a positive start to the game with a forward run by Habib Beye on four minutes causing havoc in the home side’s penalty area.

Abdoulaye Faye picked out his fellow countryman wide on the right with the Senegal international making an overlapping run and after bustling his way into the box a half clearance was intercepted by Beye before the defender rifled a left-footed effort off the underside of the bar.

Spurs eventually cleared but seconds later Martins sprinted through to fire in an effort low down at Robinson.

In a bright start from Newcastle, Robinson had to be switched on to claim a long range effort from Jose Enrique with the England keeper struggling to deal with the bright sunlight.

But he dealt superbly with United’s next chance on nine minutes as Joey Barton made a fine run before prodding an effort at Robinson.

Two minutes later and Spurs were incensed by Steve Bennett’s decision not to award a penalty when Faye appeared to bundle over Robbie Keane.

Instead the Kent official awarded a corner and former Toon man Jonathan Woodgate was unlucky not to score after Harper made a great save low down from his close pal.

On 16 minutes a jinking run from Robbie Keane resulted in the Eire star find a way through but his wayward shot didn’t trouble Harper.

But despite all of Newcastle’s early pressure Spurs snatched the lead with 25 minutes played.

A right footed cross from Steed Malbranque on the left was swept into the box and Darren Bent rose highest to send a looping header over Harper and make it 1-0.

Two minutes before the half hour mark a fizzing shot from Berbatov flashed just over the bar with Spurs looking to add to their lead.

Newcastle’s next chance didn’t arrive until three minutes before the interval but Owen’s low shot from outside the penalty area went wide.

On the stroke of half-time though United did hit the target.

Nicky Butt scored for the second season running at White Hart Lane via a curled effort from outside the box.

Enrique’s initial cross was headed clear by Woodgate with Geremi then feeding the former Man U star to equalise and set up his third goal in the last two games as Newcastle went in all square at the break.

In the second half it took United four minutes to threaten Spurs with a scuffed shot from Joey Barton clipping the base of the post.

Two minutes later Martins won a free-kick on the edge of the box to hand Newcastle a superb chance.

And Geremi certainly took it as he steered the ball home from the edge of the box to grab his first goal for the club and put Newcastle 2-1 up.

On the hour mark Geremi attempted another long range strike but this time it flew over the bar.

Viduka forced his former Leeds team-mate Robinson into a fine save on 63 minutes when he palmed away his curling shot after he’d latched on to Geremi’s deflected pass.

And from the corner Martins’ downward header was kept out by the Spurs keeper.

But it was 3-1 with 65 minutes on the clock as Martins played in Viduka before the Aussie found Owen who clipped the ball into the net and beyond Robinson to give Newcastle a two-goal cushion.

With 17 minutes left Owen could have sealed it when he latched on to Geremi’s pass from the right but prodded the effort wide of the target.

KK made a change with 78 minutes gone as Alan Smith replaced Viduka.

Newcastle made it 4-1 though with eight minutes remaining as Martins raced through to put the lid on things after a great run after he’d latched on to Barton’s pass.

Tottenham coach Gus Poyet:
"There were far too many mistakes out there. It is hard for me to talk right now, because I am trying to stay calm.

"I think we should apologise to the fans. The season is not finished yet, but I'm not sure if our players know.

"We will analyse this later and I will be looking for a big reaction."

Newcastle manager Kevin Keegan:
"Nicky Butt's equaliser came at just right time for us but I felt we were playing well and dominating.

"We had 11 players out there playing to their maximum, we did not have a weak link in our team.

"We could have scored more, we hit the bar and the keeper made two world class saves. But we also defended well."

Tottenham Robinson, Hutton, Dawson, Woodgate, O'Hara,Huddlestone, Zokora (Tainio 69), Malbranque (Lennon 59),Keane (Taarabt 59), Berbatov, Bent.
Subs Not Used: Cerny, Chimbonda.

Booked: O'Hara.

Goals: Bent 26.

Newcastle Harper, Beye, Taylor, Faye, Jose Enrique, Barton,Butt, Geremi (Edgar 90), Owen (Carroll 85), Viduka (Smith 79),Martins.
Subs Not Used: Forster, Duff.

Booked: Butt.

Goals: Butt 45, Geremi 52, Owen 65, Martins 83.

Att: 36,067

Ref: Steve Bennett (Kent).