Winning away at a top-six side is mightily impressive for any English club, but for Steve Bruce and Newcastle United, getting all three points at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was huge, however, it shouldn’t cloud the fans’ vision of what constitutes success this season.
The Magpies are still a squad that will be in a scrap for a lot of this season. Whether or not they pull clear in the new year and finish around the 10th-13th mark as they have done the previous two seasons is yet to be seen, but the Magpies’ main aim should still be survival.
Over the last few seasons that has seen Rafa Benitez sacrifice the cup competitions, and that’s nothing new to the Geordies, but Steve Bruce must know that keeping this side up has to be the main aim and not let the big win over Tottenham go to his head.
The way that the Magpies played against Tottenham was mightily impressive. None of the starting eleven or three substitutes looked out of place as they put in a very strong defensive performance and took the big chance that came their way, but the Premier League season is a long one.
Steve Bruce’s side is still 19th despite that win, although they face the only side below them, Watford, this weekend and will know that a win is a must, although the Hornets will be equally up for the clash against the side closest to them in the table as they look for their first league points.
It won’t be an easy ride for Newcastle, and if they can pull off some more shock away wins against the big boys then it will be a bonus, but for now getting early points on the board is crucial, especially with the prospect of relegation looming if they don’t maintain their standards.