Newcastle comeback stuns Spurs

Spurs defender Dean Richards goes close with a shot

Tottenham 1-3 Newcastle
E-mail your reaction to Football Talk

Bobby Robson won the battle of the former England managers as his Newcastle side came back from 1-0 down to trounce Tottenham.

Glenn Hoddle's Spurs took the lead in the 17th minute through Steffen Iversen - the Norwegian international's second in two games since being recalled to the first team.

But wily veteran Robson made an inspired substitution at the break - sending on winger Lauren Robert for defender Robbie Elliott - and he reaped the rewards.

Robert set up Newcastle's equaliser for Clarence Acuna and then Robson watched his two strikers - Alan Shearer and Craig Bellamy - get their names on the scoresheet.

I still say there are better teams than us that could win the league, but the longer we stay up there the better it is for everyone

Newcastle star Alan Shearer

Tottenham's leading scorer Les Ferdinand scored both of Newcastle's goals the last time they won at White Hart Lane, way back in 1996, and although he was injured and unable to play against his old club his replacement opened the scoring.

Iversen drilled home after Ledley King's shot from Darren Anderton's corner was half-cleared by Nolberto Solano.

There was a scare for Tottenham in the 31st minute when Bellamy latched on to Dean Richards' attempted header back to Neil Sullivan and forced the goalkeeper to save with his legs.

Bellamy then dragged a shot wide before Iversen threatened again - the Norwegian forcing a save from Shay Given.

  Match facts

17 mins: Iversen opens the scoring for Spurs

67 mins: Acuna equalises for Newcastle

69 mins: Shearer puts Newcastle in front

78 mins: Bellamy makes it 3-1 to the visitors

Richards came close in the 37th minute, somehow scooping his shot from five yards over the bar after meeting Anderton's corner.

And in the 41st minute Spurs wing-back Simon Davies forced a save from Given but Newcastle held out until the break without conceding again.

After the interval it was a different story as Robson's team found themselves in front within 24 minutes of the re-start.

In the 67th minute Robert's cross from the right was converted by the unmarked Acuna.

Spurs' Chris Perry keeps an eye on Craig Bellamy

Then just two minutes later Bellamy skipped past two defenders and pulled a cross back for Shearer, who had been quiet up to that point but made no mistake at the far post.

Newcastle made it 3-1 in the 78th minute when Aaron Hughes slid a pass into the box for Bellamy, who beat Sullivan from six yards.

Robert twice went close to getting a goal for himself but Spurs held out without conceding again.

You cannot give Shearer and Bellamy those kind of opportunities and hope to win the game

Tottenham manager Glenn Hoddle

For Tottenham the thrashing meant there was to be no honeymoon after their stunning Worthington Cup thrashing of neighbours Chelsea.

Newcastle, meanwhile, would have been thrilled to win again in London.

After going four years without a win in the capital Robson's men beat Arsenal at Highbury in December and now they have made it two out of two in the capital.

---

Tottenham: Sullivan, Perry, King, Richards, Davies (Etherington 70), Anderton, Sherwood, Poyet (Leonhardsen 87), Taricco, Sheringham (Rebrov 86), Iversen.

Subs Not Used: Kelly, Thelwell.

Booked: Richards.

Newcastle: Given, O'Brien, Elliott (Robert 46), Dabizas, Distin, Solano, Acuna, Hughes, McClen, Shearer, Bellamy.

Subs Not Used: Barton, Harper, Ameobi, Kerr.

Booked: Distin.

Att: 35,798

Ref: M Dean (The Wirral).