Like London buses, you wait four months for your first win and then two come back to back. Newcastle United were simply superior in every department when they visited White Hart Lane as they cruised to a 4-1 victory over a Spurs team which apparently have their minds set on their summer holidays.
The Toon’s superiority was evident early doors as a mistake from Jonathan Woodgate allowed Habib Beye to hit the post from close range, before Joey Barton struck the post inside the first 10 minutes.
However it was the home side who took the lead midway through the half as Darren Bent connected perfectly with a Steed Malbranque cross to put more strain on Kevin Keegan. And despite the goal knocking the wind out of Newcastle’s sails, they got their deserved luck on the stroke of half-time when a tame Nicky Butt shot beat a stranded Paul Robinson. The England keeper’s form has been disastrous to say the least this season, and he certainly could have done better than to just stand and watch a slow shot bobble into the corner.
If that goal was arguably his fault, then the second was all down to him. A free kick on the edge of the box by Geremi and the bumbling stopper allowed himself to be beaten by another half hit shot which ended up on his side. Not for the first time this season, Robinson’s positioning came into question – the goal reminiscent of Craig Gardner’s strike for Aston Villa at the Lane back in October and Didier Drogba’s opener in the League Cup Final just a month ago.
But take nothing away from Newcastle, by the time they took the lead 5 minutes into the second half they had already hit the outside of the post with the outstanding Barton yet again coming close. And then only a couple of saves from a point blank Obafemi Martins header and a tip wide from Michael Owen held off the relentless Toon Army.
Their dominance duly came when an intricate build up allowed Owen to score at the second attempt whilst Martins capitalised on an error from sub Adel Taarabt by netting the 4th.
Kevin Keegan, speaking after the match, said his side could have won by more but has absolutely no complaints otherwise, and is looking forward already to next season.
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