After victories this season at West Ham and Arsenal (plus Chelsea in the League Cup), Newcastle proved incapable of concluding 2010 with further capital gains, despite ending this game with a numerical advantage on the field.

Facing an in-form Spurs side without the suspended Kevin Nolan, United were forced into a further change from the side beaten 48 hours earlier, when Jose Enrique was ruled out with a slight hamstring strain. That saw James Perch deputise at left back for his first start since October, while Alan Smith was added to the midfield; Danny Guthrie absent for reasons as yet undisclosed.

With neither side able to find much space or create many chances, an even first 45 minutes ended scoreless - lone striker Andy Carroll nodding a rare chance over before Roman Pavlyuchenko saw his headed effort superbly blocked by Tim Krul and somehow strike both posts.

At half time though, 'Arry Redknapp's words of wisdom (and decision to replace Palacios with Jenas) were surely directed towards right winger Aaron Lennon, who had been dealt with by stand-in James Perch without any problems. And sure enough, Lennon had found space on that side of the field to open the scoring within 12 minutes of the restart, almost repeating the trick soon afterwards.

Temperatures in an increasingly fractious game had been raised when Newcastle captain Joey Barton hoofed a return ball to the opposition out of play rather than towards goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes as expected. And when Smith fouled Gareth Bale in front of the two benches, a row between Alan Pardew and Spurs henchman Joe Jordan was only prevented from escalating by the intervention of United goalkeeping coach Andy Woodman. 

While Barton and Smith were both abused by home fans, the travelling contingent gave Jermaine Jenas plenty verbals and referee Anthony Taylor struggled to keep a lid as the contest threatened to boil over. He was left with little choice though but to brandish a red card to Younes Kaboul on 65 minutes, after the French defender - who had already been booked - took exception to a challenge by Tiote and then nutted our man.

Seeking to gain advantage from the extra man, United promptly introduced North Londoner Nile Ranger in place of Jonas Gutierrez and then added Peter Lovenkrands up top at the expense of Tiote (who by then was coming dangerously close to an early bath himself).

However, the home side reprised their Boxing Day display at Villa Park by doubling their advantage when reduced to ten men, Modric finding more space in the middle of the park to inspire Spurs, as Newcastle re-formatted themselves first to 4-4-2 and then 4-3-3. 

By the way, that's the same Luka Modric who got as far as South West Reception at SJP when Newcastle attempted to sign him back in April 2008 - Dennis Wise meeting the player and Croatia Zagreb Director Zdravko Mamic on Tyneside before Spurs beat them to his signature.

As they had done on Boxing Day, United kept on plugging away until the final whistle but never remotely looked like getting through. Some brave post-match words from Alan Pardew failed to disguise what was another deeply concerning display, tragically lacking in creativity.

While the home side ultimately found some reward down the flanks, United's wide pair of Gutierrez and Spurs old boy Wayne Routledge were mediocre in the extreme. That duo though were the only options available, as the presence of Xisco and Best on the bench proved. 

A continual failure to put even dead balls anywhere near Carroll meant that our predictable route one attempts provided little threat to a defence which by the end included Toon old boy, Sebastien Bassong (the lesser-spotted Jonathan Woodgate is back in training but unfit - as usual).

A second defeat within 72 hours means that Newcastle have now won just once in their last eight outings and as a consequence have now dropped into the bottom half of the table - 12th becoming 13th after Everton's draw at West Ham on Tuesday evening.

Next up for the Magpies is a sixth trip to Wigan in as many years - the five previous visits having ended in victory for the 'Latics, who have conceded just once during that run. That though, and the home game against West Ham three days later, now take on an added importance. 

Having failed to take anything from two upwardly mobile sides over the festive season, United badly need to start picking up wins from less glamorous opponents.

For the manager though there's much to ponder as we waits for reinforcements to arrive in the shape of injury comebacks and possible new acquisitions. Having now had first-hand sight of just how off the pace Smith is, it remains to be seen whether the former Leeds man makes it to the end of January, while Xisco and Leon Best could also walk the plank. If anybody will take them.... 

Biffa