Tottenham ended their recent slump in emphatic style as they convincingly overpowered a leg-weary Newcastle United.
Spurs had lost four of their previous five games and had not won since the victory at Crystal Palace on 27 October, but, once Destiny Udogie put them ahead from Son Heung-min’s pass, there was only one winner.
And it was day of joy for striker Richarlison, who has struggled to find consistency and momentum in his Spurs career but was the spearhead here with a goal either side of half-time as Newcastle wilted in the face of some scintillating attacking play from Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Richarlison had scored only five goals in his previous 48 appearances for Spurs but was on the mark from Son’s perfect delivery, then effectively sealed all three points after controlling Pedro Porro’s long pass.
Son got the goal his performance deserved, scoring from the spot after he had been hauled down by Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka.
Joelinton’s late strike provided a late consolation for Newcastle, who threatened only sporadically, with Miguel Almiron failing to convert a great chance when they trailed by a goal.
However, a heavy programme is taking its toll on manager Eddie Howe’s injury-hit squad and now they must regroup and re-energise quickly before Wednesday night’s decisive final Champions League group game at home to AC Milan.
Spurs back on song
Spurs have been stuttering recently after an outstanding start under Postecoglou, not helped by a succession of injuries, particularly to key new signings James Maddison and Micky van de Ven, but the battling draw at Manchester City demonstrated the new-found spirit and here the attacking quality was back.
Richarlison will rightly claim much of the acclaim for his two goals and the Spurs fans showed their delight for the Brazil striker, who is admired for his sheer effort despite a mixed career at the club so far. The goals that came with Richarlison’s endeavour were a deserved reward.
He will have his confidence lifted by two goals but, as so often, Son was at the heart of most of Spurs’ good work, creating the first two goals, making it another miserable experience for Kieran Trippier after his nightmare in the 3-0 defeat at Everton on Thursday, then scoring a penalty for the fourth.
As they have done so far this season, Spurs supporters revelled in the all-out attacking approach under Postecoglou which could have yielded more goals, but this was a result and performance designed to blow away the cobwebs of three successive home defeats.
The Spurs fans seem more than happy to accept there may be bumps in the road playing in this fashion while warmly embracing Postecoglou’s positive intent.
Newcastle out on their feet
The manner in which Spurs were able to over-run Newcastle as they capitulated posted warning signs for Howe.
This is not to suggest for one moment there was a lack of effort from Newcastle’s players, but they looked, as they did as Everton swept past them, like a team running on fumes, playing too many games with too few players.
Howe has barely been able to change his side in recent weeks as he tries to handle a lengthy injury list, which has forced him to name the same 10 outfield players for five games in a row, hampering any ability to rotate his squad and refresh a hard-pressed squad.
At least the sight of Callum Wilson and Sean Longstaff returning off the bench provided some hope and relief before the Milan game.
The passionate Toon Army will fuel the effort to get the victory they need to keep hopes of reaching the knockout phase alive.
Newcastle started each half briskly but, significantly, the levels swiftly dropped. The backing of the home fans is never in doubt, but they will be needed more than ever in midweek.
Player of the match
Son Heung-minSon Heung-min
Line-ups
Tottenham
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 13Vicario
- 23Porro
- 17RomeroBooked at 80mins
- 33Davies
- 38Udogie
- 29SarrSubstituted forHøjbjergat 73′minutes
- 8BissoumaSubstituted forGilat 86′minutes
- 22JohnsonSubstituted forSkippat 86′minutes
- 21Kulusevski
- 7Son Heung-minSubstituted forDonleyat 90+1′minutes
- 9RicharlisonSubstituted forLo Celsoat 73′minutes
Substitutes
- 4Skipp
- 5Højbjerg
- 11Gil
- 12Emerson Royal
- 18Lo Celso
- 20Forster
- 36Véliz
- 63Donley
- 65Dorrington
Newcastle
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Dúbravka
- 2TrippierBooked at 83minsSubstituted forKrafthat 86′minutes
- 6LascellesBooked at 59mins
- 5Schär
- 21LivramentoSubstituted forHallat 73′minutes
- 67Miley
- 39Bruno Guimarães
- 7JoelintonBooked at 69mins
- 24AlmirónSubstituted forS Longstaffat 64′minutes
- 14IsakSubstituted forWilsonat 64′minutes
- 10GordonSubstituted forRitchieat 73′minutes
Substitutes
- 3Dummett
- 9Wilson
- 11Ritchie
- 17Krafth
- 18Karius
- 20Hall
- 29Gillespie
- 36S Longstaff
- 54Murphy
- Referee:
- Chris Kavanagh
- Attendance:
- 61,171
Live Text
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Match ends, Tottenham Hotspur 4, Newcastle United 1.
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Second Half ends, Tottenham Hotspur 4, Newcastle United 1.
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Attempt saved. Callum Wilson (Newcastle United) header from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Emil Krafth with a cross.
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Offside, Newcastle United. Callum Wilson is caught offside.
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Goal! Tottenham Hotspur 4, Newcastle United 1. Joelinton (Newcastle United) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Callum Wilson.
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Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Jamie Donley replaces Son Heung-Min.
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Attempt missed. Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Oliver Skipp.
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Attempt saved. Oliver Skipp (Tottenham Hotspur) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Dejan Kulusevski.
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Foul by Giovani Lo Celso (Tottenham Hotspur).
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Joelinton (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Substitution, Newcastle United. Emil Krafth replaces Kieran Trippier.
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Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Oliver Skipp replaces Brennan Johnson.
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Substitution, Tottenham Hotspur. Bryan Gil replaces Yves Bissouma.
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Goal! Tottenham Hotspur 4, Newcastle United 0. Son Heung-Min (Tottenham Hotspur) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom left corner.
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Penalty Tottenham Hotspur. Son Heung-Min draws a foul in the penalty area.
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Penalty conceded by Martin Dúbravka (Newcastle United) after a foul in the penalty area.
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Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Dejan Kulusevski (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United).
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Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Sophie Anderson, a UK-based writer, is your guide to the latest trends, viral sensations, and internet phenomena. With a finger on the pulse of digital culture, she explores what’s trending across social media and pop culture, keeping readers in the know about the latest online sensations.