An exhausting week that included visits to Bournemouth and Nottingham amidst continuing transfer speculation ended with a familiar set of players saluting home fans after securing an epic victory.

The hoped-for defensive reinforcements may have consisted of a new fence that appeared on Leazes Terrace, while the nearest we got to a new right winger was Tory leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick making his pitch at Gallowgate.

Both were thankfully absent by Sunday, as strikes from Harvey Barnes and Alexander Isak cancelled out Dan Burn's own goal and gave Newcastle a hard-earned three points from a game in which they played second fiddle to Spurs for much of the afternoon. 

Denied the hoped-for reinforcements, Eddie Howe's response was to field Anthony Gordon on that side with Harvey Barnes occupying the opposite flank - only the fifth time that the pair have started a league game together.

In defence meanwhile, a Marc Gueh-shaped hole saw Dan Burn and Emil Krafth continue in the centre as Fabian Schar completed his suspension - Lloyd Kelly preferred at left back to Lewis Hall and Kieran Trippier benched again in favour of Tino Livramento on the right.

Trippier would influence the game even though he didn't get on, issuing instructions to team mates while warming up in front of the Milburn Stand and noticeably trying to calm them down at 1-1.  

Absentees in the visiting side would also prove crucial to the destination of the points; forwards Dominic Solanke and Richarlison both injured and leaving Ange Postecoglu to try a variety of players in forward roles that thankfully nullified Son's contribution.

The selection of James Maddison meanwhile provided further evidence that he's now second only to Jordan Pickford in the comedy opponent stakes on Tyneside; mixing his talent with petulance and ignorance before losing the plot completely and departing to a wall of derision.

A transfer window reminiscent of those halycon days when we couldn't get "it" "over the line" was largely forgotten for 95 minutes, as playing a football match thankfully dominated our thoughts.

Some thought had clearly gone into the way Eddie Howe approached the game, post-match quotes from Alexander Isak about expecting to have limited possession an indication of his side's deliberate compactness; deep-sitting midfielders trying to limit the exposure of Burn and Krafth.    

The plan was by no means perfectly executed; Spurs will feel that they should have had more than a Burn own goal to show for their efforts, continually penning United in their own half and pressing them into surrendering possession a worrying number of times.

However, the Magpies took what chances came their way admirably; Isak's delicate chip shaving the woodwork early on and Barnes shooting just wide before smartly finding the target from Kelly's 37th minute cross.

Isak had the chance to square the ball to the unmarked Barnes three minutes into the second half but chose to shoot and Guglielmo Vicario was able to block.

The visitors remained a threat though and Pedro Porro saw a shot deflected on to the bar before Burn turned Brennan Johnson's 56th minute cross into his own net from point blank range, after Pope had parried the initial effort by James Maddison.

Spurs seemed poised to turn their domination into further goals as they lined up to test Nick Pope, who made an eye-catching stop to deny Maddison. 

The home side did threaten occasionally; one great move ending with substitute Jacob Murphy benefiting from Gordon's vision and stabbing a shot goalwards that Vicario blocked at his near post.

A fine breakaway goal with 12 minutes of normal time remaining won it; Joelinton evading Maddison and releasing Murphy on halfway for him to gallop forward and tee up Isak for a simple finish. 

By then Sandro Tonali had appeared to a great reception and played his part in keeping Tottenham at bay - Gordon's contribution markedly better when moving to the left after Barnes was replaced.  

Seven points from a possible nine leaves an unbeaten Newcastle side fifth going into the international break, their best start to a top-flight campaign since also reaching that total in 2011/12.

Like much of what has gone on this season so far, it wasn't pretty at times but any lack of style was compensated for in sheer graft and a hint of luck.

And in terms of raising the collective mood after a frustrating and concerning week off the field before a game-free fortnight, the result really was priceless.

Biffa

PS: Thanks to everyone who commented positively on our post-match headline "Sensational Alex, Harvey" - most of whom said, 'I bet nobody else got that'.....you'd be surprised!