31 mins Fabian Schar's long ball forward dropped over Eric Dier and seemed to give Hugo Lloris an easy opportunity to clear as he rushed out of his box to deny the lurking Wilson. Instead of putting his foot through the ball however, the Spurs custodian opted to let it bounce off his thigh, colliding with the blameless Wilson as the ball ran free.

As Lloris threw himself to the ground, the ever-alert Callum Wilson turned away from goal to retrieve the ball, took a touch and then coolly dispatched it into the unguarded net from 22 yards at the south end of the stadium.

Home players crowded around referee Jarred Gillett claiming a foul and VAR checks were announced on the big screens for both a possible foul and handball - a suspicion of offside also soon allayed. 

Stuart Attwell saw nothing wrong though and the goal was given without recourse to the pitchside monitors. 1-0

40 mins Lloris was again at fault, clipping a punt in the direction of Ryan Sessegnon out on the right flank that Sean Longstaff easily cut out with a header forward.

That found Miguel Almiron, who shrugged off Sessegnon before side-stepping Clement Lenglet, reaching the right hand side of the six yard box and sliding the ball beyond Lloris and into the far corner of the goal - a replica of his disallowed goal at Craven Cottage earlier this month. 2-0

Half time: Cockerels 0 Magpies 2

54 mins Son's corner was flicked on at the near post by Clement Lenglet; Harry Kane stooping to head in at the back post from point-blank range after spinning away from Kieran Trippier, who ended up on top of him.

VAR confirmed that the scorer was onside after checking whether Davinson Sanchez had got a second flick that would have seen offside. One camera angle suggested it brushed Sanchez's shoulder, but VAR ruled that the evidence wasn't conclusive. 2-1

Full time: Cockerels 1 Magpies 2

We Said

Eddie Howe:

"It was a big win. We were determined to come here and be positive. Great display from us. We deserved the win.

"My players deserve all the credit for how we attacked the game. We executed the game plan really well.

"It wasn't without problems. They have world-class players. They had a few long-range shots, and dangerous counter-attacks, early on. Once we solved that, we were OK.

"We were just trying to get the basics right – and keep their attacking players quiet. Miggy got the second goal, but, at 2-1, we didn't sit deep.

"Yes, they had their moments, but we withstood that – and had our moments going the other way. Once we found our rhythm, I thought our performance was very good today.

"We're in a very good place, we've got a lot of momentum, but we know how difficult it is in the Premier League to continue to win.

"Hopefully this gives us the confidence to know we can go anywhere. Physically, technically, tactically we performed at a very high level. I think we can beat anyone if we play like that.

"I’ve got real pride in the players, in fact the whole football club really. The scenes at the end were brilliant to be a part of.

“I have to compliment the group on everything they gave today. I thought it was a really good performance – probably the best since I’ve been here. I thought we deserved it. It was a tough game, and Tottenham are a top team, but I thought we played very well.

"I don’t know (if they can stay in the top four). All we can do is continue to give everything for success. The players are in a really good place, the scenes in the dressing room were really good, and it was great to see the happiness and togetherness in the group. We’ll just continue to give our all in every game.

On Wilson's VAR-authorised opener:

"I wasn't sure what happened. It was a coming together of two players, and I wasn't sure if it was a foul either way. Usually the defending team expects it to go in their favour, but I don't see why that should be the case."

On new father Bruno:

"I found out after the game that he hadn’t slept for two nights: I don’t think it would have changed my decision (about starting him) though because he’s pivotal to the team.

"He’s so important in everything we deliver, and I thought he was outstanding today. "You could see he was probably depleted in energy slightly as the game wore on – that’s why I had to take him off in the end – but what he’s given me on a continual basis, since I’ve been here, is fantastic.

"He’s given his heart and soul to the club, and he’s an outstanding player. You could see that – it was one of his best performances for the club.”

They Said

Antonio Conte said:

"The fans have to understand we are doing our best in every moment.

"The commitment was really high. It is a difficult moment for us as we don't have three or four players in the squad then you are in trouble. We have to try to manage and overcome this situation together. This squad can't allow us to lose four players.

"You see the title contenders in these periods when you play every three days because you need to have a depth in your squad. A strong squad with great quality. We have only just started our process. From the Conference League we are now playing Champions League.

"We are trying to improve step-by-step but you need time and patience. With my experience we are doing well, not the best, but we need time and patience. And to understand ways we can overcome problems in the future.

"If we play one game every six or seven days we can fight for something important. To play a lot of games every three days, we need to build our path and patience. We can't invent wins or do a miracle.

"We have just started the process. If someone doesn't want to listen, it's not my problem. From my experience we have to have patience. These players want to work a lot but it's not enough. If we have many injuries it affects our season."
 

Stats

Newcastle registered their eleventh victory over Spurs on the road in the Premier League, making them our favourite away opponent - West Ham drop into second on ten. This was Newcastle's fourth game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and they've lost just once, winning there twice and drawing the other one: 2022/23 Won 2-1 Wilson, Almiron 2021/22 Lost 1-5 Schar 2020/21 Drew 1-1 Wilson pen 2019/20 Won 1-0 Joelinton NUFC last 11 PL seasons after twelve games: 2022/23 21 points, 4th (GD +10) 2021/22 6 points, 20th (GD -12) 2020/21 17 points, 14th (GD -5) 2019/20 15 points, 11th (GD -7) 2018/19 9 points, 14th (GD-6) 2017/18 14 points, 11th (GD-3) 2015/16 10 points, 17th (GD-9) 2014/15 19 points, 5th (GD-1) 2013/14 20 points, 8th (GD 0) 2012/13 14 points, 12th (GD-4) 2011/12 25 points, 3rd (GD +7) Eddie Howe's side are on a seven match unbeaten run and have now lost just once in their last 14 PL games (12 this season). One defeat from their opening six PL away games matches United's best record in that competition at that stage of the season; achieved in 1994/95, 1995/96, 2011/12 and now 2022/23. A second away success of the season means that the current side have already matched the total that their predecessors managed in the whole of the 2003/04, 2008/09, 2012/13 and 2015/16 campaigns. Nine away points so far this time round also matches our final tally from the entire 19 games of the 2015/16 season played away from SJP. Miggy Almiron hit his sixth PL goal of the season and now has 15 to his name in that competition, pulling clear of Loic Remy, drawing level with Andy Carroll and sitting two behind Yohan Cabaye. The Paraguayan has five in five games, having taken 54 games to amass his previous five goals in the PL. Callum Wilson's fourth goal of the season takes him on to 24 PL goals in a Toon shirt, one ahead of Kieron Dyer and just two behind Michael Owen. This was the first of those 24 to be scored from outside the box. He's now faced Spurs three times in our colours and scored in all of them. Fabian Schar reached a century of PL appearances for the club (89 starts). Sven Botman remains unbeaten as a Magpie, this his eleventh appearance in all competitions and tenth in the PL (he was an unused substitute in our only defeat to date, at Liverpool). Jonjo Shelvey's first outing of the season made him the 23rd player to play for United in the PL this time round. Current members of the 25 man squad yet to muddy their boots in the competition are Paul Dummett, Loris Karius, Javier Manquillo and Karl Darlow.    Harry Kane's ninth goal against Newcastle (eighth in the PL) was the first time that he'd found the net against us but finished on the losing side. Magpies @ Cockerels - PL era: 2022/23 Won 2-1 Wilson, Almiron 2021/22 Lost 1-5 Schar 2020/21 Drew 1-1 Wilson pen 2019/20 Won 1-0 Joelinton 2018/19 Lost 0-1 2017/18 Lost 0-1 2015/16 Won 2-1 Mitrovic, Perez 2014/15 Lost 0-4 (LC) 2014/15 Won 2-1 Ameobi, Perez 2013/14 Won 1-0 Remy 2012/13 Lost 1-2 Gouffran 2011/12 Lost 0-5 2010/11 Lost 0-2 2008/09 Lost 0-1 2007/08 Won 4-1 Butt, Geremi, Owen, Martins 2006/07 Won 3-2 Huntington, Martins, Butt 2005/06 Lost 0-2 2004/05 Lost 0-1 2003/04 Lost 0-1 2002/03 Won 1-0 Jenas 2001/02 Won 3-1 Acuna, Shearer, Bellamy 2000/01 Lost 2-4 Solano, Dyer 1999/00 Drew 1-1 Speed (FAC) 1999/00 Lost 1-3 Solano 1998/99 Lost 0-2 1997/98 Lost 0-2 1996/97 Won 2-1 Ferdinand 2 1995/96 Drew 1-1 Ginola 1995/96 Won 2-0 Sellars, Ferdinand (FR) 1994/95 Lost 2-4 Fox 2 1993/94 Won 2-1 Beardsley 2

Waffle

A landmark victory from Newcastle saw them defy both the weather and their illustrious hosts to gatecrash into the top four of the table on Sunday.

First half strikes from Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron gave Eddie Howe's side an interval lead, before a half time cloudburst raised doubts as to whether any further play would be possible.

Thankfully the deluge dissipated and United went in search of further goals, Fabian Schar seeing his volley blocked before play switched to the other end and Harry Kane netted from close range in the 54th minute.

However a Spurs side seeking an eleventh successive home league and cup victory rarely looked like beating Nick Pope for a second time.

Despite becoming a father earlier in the week and having endured two sleepless nights, Bruno Guimaraes kept his place in a side with only one change; Joe Willock coming in for Jacob Murphy.

The opening exchanges belonged to Antonio Conte's side, who pressed the visitors back and moved the ball around well. Heung-Min Son peppered the United goal, forcing Kieran Trippier into a goal-line clearance in the eleventh minute after the South Korean's shot deflected off Pope.

Spurs 'keeper Hugo Lloris was almost caught out by a wayward back pass from Eric Dier soon after, before Kane's run into the box on the half hour ended with Pope sticking out a boot to divert his effort away from goal.

Within two minutes United were ahead, when Schar's long ball forward dropped over Dier and seemed to give Lloris an easy opportunity to clear as he rushed out of his box to deny the lurking Wilson.

However the Spurs custodian opted to let the ball bounce off his thigh, colliding with the blameless Wilson as the ball ran free.

As Lloris fell on his backside, the ever-alert Wilson turned away from goal to retrieve the ball, took a touch and then coolly dispatched it into the unguarded net from 22 yards at the south end of the stadium.

Home players crowded around referee Jarred Gillett claiming a foul and VAR checks were announced on the big screens for both a possible foul and handball - a suspicion of offside also soon allayed.

Remote official Stuart Attwell saw nothing wrong though and the goal was given without recourse to the pitchside monitors.

Celebrations in the away end were still in full swing when the blue and gold clad Magpies improbably doubled their lead in the 40th minute.

Lloris was again at fault, clipping a punt in the direction of Ryan Sessegnon out on the right flank that Sean Longstaff easily cut out with a header.

That found Almiron, who shrugged off Sessegnon before side-stepping Clement Lenglet, reaching the right hand side of the six yard box and sliding the ball beyond Lloris and into the far corner of the goal - a replica of his disallowed goal at Craven Cottage earlier this month.

Half time brought the heaviest rainfall we can remember at a match since the infamous 1999 derby defeat at SJP, accompanied by claps of thunder and lightning flashes that sent many away fans undercover - and caused others to stay in their seats and strip to the waist.

Thankfully that abated enough to allow the second half to go ahead and after a bright opening from Newcastle, Son sent over a corner and Kane stooped to head in at the back post from point-blank range.

VAR confirmed that the goalscorer was onside and with 36 minutes of normal time plus the inevitable stoppages to come, a stressful finale looked in prospect for those of a black and white persuasion.

In the event though, Spurs proved unable to exert sustained pressure or gain momentum: United defending in disciplined fashion and minimising balls into their box from open play or set pieces. That meant Pope wasn't called upon to give a Tim Krul-type performance in N17.

Four wins out of the last five games is just reward for a team playing without fear and with poise and skill - not to mention seemingly infinite reserves of energy.

To be doing all that without the talismanic Allan Saint-Maximin and record signing Alexander Isak is frankly verging on the miraculous. From rock bottom after 12 games last season with six points to be fourth on 21 points almost defies belief. To label it a transformation almost seems like an understatement; it's a rebirth of a team and a club.

It's beyond question that the injection of cash and sensible use of it in successive transfers windows has radically improved things around these parts.

Repurposing elements of the discredited squad he inherited is perhaps Eddie Howe's greatest achievement though; be it the rehabilitation of Joelinton into an international class midfielder or the supernatural transformation of Almiron into a lethal finisher.

Coming at the end of a gruelling week, visiting a venue that habitually favours the home side seemed to be the point at which reality would intervene this season.

How wrong we were. Thankfully.

Biffa