Newcastle United 3 Tottenham Hotspur 1

Last updated : 22 October 2007 By Footymad Previewer
Newcastle United have now made their best start to a season since the 1996-97 campaign, after heaping further woe on beleaguered Spurs boss Martin Jol with a 3-1 victory at St James' Park.

While Newcastle consolidated their eighth position and have a game in hand over most of the other top sides, Spurs still languish in the bottom three with just one win from their opening ten matches.

The Magpes have now hit three goals in each of heir last three home games and remain unbeaten at what is becoming fortress St. James' Park.

It has been something of a dream start for Sam Allardyce, who watched on as Obafemi Martins, Claudio Cacapa and James Milner hammered another nail into Jol's coffin, whose side managed only a Robbie Keane consolation - his fifth in the league this season.

With a number of his senior players now back to full fitness, Allardyce was left to make some tough decisions.

And he responded by leaving England Under-21s skipper Steven Taylor out of the 16 and dropping ever-present Milner to the bench to give Emre his first league start since February.

Michael Owen was handed a place up front and along with Nicky Butt was the only English player in the United starting line-up.

With under-pressure Paul Robinson injured, Radek Cerny was given his chance between the posts for Spurs, while injury doubt Dimitar Berbatov started on the bench with Aaron Lennon, though Jermain Defoe was another player not to be involved.

Martins broke the deadlock right on the stroke of half-time when Michael Dawson failed to deal with a long Jose Enrique ball and the striker nipped in to beat Cerny for his fifth league of the season, before celebrating with his customary somersault.

This lead was doubled after 51 minutes with a training ground routine that produced a first United goal for Brazilian Cacapa.

Emre's corner from the right saw Cacapa completely lose his marker Dawson and bullet a header into the net.

If Newcastle thought they were in cruise control, they were quickly brought back to earth when Darren Bent's glancing header rebounded off the post perfectly for predator Keane to do what he does best and make it three goals in his last two away games.

Spurs then put Newcastle under the cosh but were undone by substitute Milner, who replaced Charles N'Zogbia at the break as they saw their six-match unbeaten run come to an end.

Once again Dawson was involved when his clearance dropped for Milner who completely mis-kicked, but had the presence of mind to steady himself and volley left-footed beyond Cerny from the edge of the box.

Newcastle then shut up shop and the result was never in doubt.