So they really did come to praise him, not bury them.

Relegated in midweek without kicking a ball, the Magpies ended their stay in the Premier League on a high note by completing a seasonal double over the title-challengers - and scoring three of their goals when reduced to ten men. Sublime, ridiculous, utterly ludicrous, Newcastle United.

While the players were applauded despite season-long failings, the optimism and fervour in evidence at St. James' Park today was firmly directed at the current occupant of the home dugout. 

Nobody present could be left in any doubt as to the depth of feeling among fans for manager Rafa Benitez, who despite adding a relegation to his CV had songs of praise lavished upon him all day.

Walking to the centre circle at full time with his players to acknowledge that support, Rafa left with a wave before disappearing down the tunnel to a press conference conducted to the backdrop of yet more cheering from supporters who had congregated outside the Milburn Stand.

His next engagement was rather more significant; meeting Mike Ashley for the first time after the owner attended the game along with his PR advisor Keith Bishop and club CEO Lee Charnley.

Quite what that meeting of minds achieved remains to be seen, but anyone who witnessed this extraordinary afternoon and isn't motivated to keep Rafa in post should be sectioned, not sacked. 

If the price of keeping Benitez is relegation, then that certainly seems like one that's worth paying for the long-suffering followers of this club, who finally see something that they can believe in and have responded accordingly. Billed as a funeral, in reality it was a joyous celebration of the New Orleans variety and almost 50,000 believers evidently still want to be in that number. 

Back to the remarkable events of the preceding 90 minutes though and what on paper looked to be a no-contest soon proved to be nothing of the sort.

Spurs needed only to avoid defeat in order to confirm their first top-flight runner's up spot since 1963 and end a two decade wait to finish above North London rivals Arsenal in the Premier League.

However the jaded visitors looked like the team facing relegation as they were comprehensively outplayed and out-muscled, leading Mauricio Pochettino to bemoan his "worst day as a manager."

Making three changes to the side that drew 0-0 at Aston Villa, there were recalls for Aleksandar Mitrovic, Daryl Janmaat and Steven Taylor - the latter in for the unwell Jamaal Lascelles.   

After a couple of early half chances, a well-worked goal saw Gini Wijnaldum end his long barren run before Mitrovic buried a header to prompt massed shouts of "2-0 to Championship" directed at the distinctly unimpressed away contingent.

Newcastle continued to make the running despite Erik Lamela pulling a goal back for the visitors on the hour, but hopes of extending the unbeaten run to six games looked at risk when Mitrovic's needless and ludicrous stamp on Kyle Walker saw the Serb shown a straight red card - referee Anthony Taylor not taken in by Mitro's injury feigning act in front of the East Stand.

After a quick consultation with his linesman, Taylor waited for Mitrovic to get to his feet before dismissing him, receiving a volley of abuse from the player as he left the pitch but making an entirely correct decision. 

That was a fitting end to the season for a striker who was unable to focus his efforts and aggression into his task of scoring goals. He now has plenty of thinking time as his summer will be extended into next season - and get fit enough to play 90 minutes perhaps?

But rather than United crumbling, they profited from lightning counter attacks as Spurs lost the plot, scoring three times, hitting the goal frame once and missing another glaring one on one opportunity. 

Newcastle's two goal advantage came thanks to referee Taylor, who awarded a soft penalty that Gini rolled home - the Dutchman then generously applauded off as his fitful season came to an end.

His replacement Rolando Aarons then soon made an impact, cracking home a fourth to raise the noise levels further before setting up Daryl Janmaat to incredibly make it 5-1 moments later, putting the seal on the most bizarre and unexpected Newcastle result of modern times.

With choruses of "Rafa Benitez we want you to stay" booming from all four sides of the ground, Jamie Sterry made his first team bow in place of Sissoko, whose wholehearted display was at odds with most of his other 36 uninspiring PL outings this season. 

That switch came followed some confusion over who was coming off, Townsend trotting to the touchline and receiving a massive ovation - only to be sent back on. 

A casual observer would have left mystified by any talk of relegation or rancour here, home players contributing to a devastating performance against a side missing a handful of players but with absolutely everything to play for.   

The support from the stands was relentlessly positive as the sun shone on a supposedly demoralised football club - proof positive that there's no limit to what can be achieved here with a unity of purpose and trust. 

Match of the Day however described the atmosphere as subdued - probably because there weren't any of Leicester's cardboard clappers evident....

There were some dark moments with Mitrovic sent off for a disgraceful assault that could have broken the player's leg. A plane carrying a pathetic mackem message also buzzed overhead at one point, but was rightly ignored by those present - made easier by the fact the damn thing was too small to be read.

Our victory saw Arsenal to leapfrog their North London rivals into second, but relegation was of course already confirmed - the two point gap between us and the mackems combined with an inferior goal difference meaning that even victory at Villa would have been irrelevant to our fate.

The result and performance highlights that on their day, this squad could produce performances to beat any side but those days were far too seldom. As was the case in 2009, points tossed away when facing struggling teams were to prove pivotal and donating four points to the idiots down the road played a part in their survival - even if we managed not to make it six this time at least.

It's tempting to suggest that key players put in a shift here to secure new contracts elsewhere but only the ensuing months and moves will confirm or deny that.

Regardless of the adulation and bonhomie in the air though, the object of affection was wearing a blue suit, not black and white stripes. That the fans did everything possible to back Rafa, leaving protest bedsheets at home and rude ditties unsung needs to be stressed.

Getting this wrong and ending up with another journeyman puppet on the payroll instead will bring back all of the negativity - and those in charge will deserve every last banner and insult.  

For the dream to become a reality requires the owner and his cohorts to alter the mindset that saw Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer leave in disgust - backed in the stands but undermined in the boardroom.

Somehow, we seem to have a golden opportunity to finally make something to be proud of from this mess of a club. To steal a phrase from one of the brands piled high in the owner's emporium....

Just do it.

As is customary, we'll tip our hat and raise a glass to all of those who contributed in different ways to keeping us right in 2015/16. Your efforts are acknowledged and appreciated. Special mention to the fine folks encountered during pre-season in the USA - keep the faith!

In memoriam:

We're sorry to report the recent passing of two supporters and dedicate this report to both:

John Grant Cousin from Simonburn, Hexham, was tragically killed in an accident at work on the Queensferry Crossing construction site in Scotland on the 28th April. The 62 year-old was a loyal Newcastle United supporter and a season ticket holder for many years.

James 'Jim' Stewart passed away peacefully at the age of 81. A passionate fan for over 70 years, Jim was also a long-standing season ticket holder and club sponsor at various levels. His knowledge, enthusiasm and generosity will be remembered by family and friends.  

Biffa