Newcastle 5-1 Tottenham: Relegated Newcastle romp to leave Spurs behind Arsenal

By Gerard Brand

Monday 16 May 2016 07:29, UK

Relegated Newcastle thrashed Tottenham 5-1 with 10 men to leave Spurs third in the Premier League, behind rivals Arsenal.

Georginio Wijnaldum put Newcastle ahead on 19 minutes from inside the area, before Aleksandar Mitrovic's fine header doubled their lead before half-time.

Erik Lamela halved the deficit from a tight angle just after the hour mark, and Newcastle were reduced to 10 men after Mitrovic dragged his boot down Kyle Walker's shin with a quarter of the game remaining.

But shortly after the red card Newcastle were awarded a controversial penalty after Moussa Sissoko went down in the area from Christian Eriksen's challenge, and Wijnaldum converted for his second and the hosts' third.

Spurs then capitulated at St James' Park, allowing the 10 men of Newcastle to score two more goals on the break through Rolando Aarons and then Daryl Janmaat.

The result means Arsenal, who beat Aston Villa 4-0, have finished above Tottenham for a 21st straight season in the Premier League.

Spurs made just one change from the side that lost 2-1 against Southampton last weekend, while Newcastle made three after their 0-0 draw with Aston Villa.

Manager Rafa Benitez's name was sung by the home fans throughout the game, with the Spaniard due to make a decision on his future at the club in the next two weeks.

Benitez's side were relegated in midweek following Sunderland's win over Everton, and they started like a side without pressure on their shoulders.

Mitrovic came within inches of getting on the end of Janmaat's low cross from the right after 10 minutes, but moments later they were ahead.

After Toby Alderweireld's poor cleared header fell to the feet of Sissoko, the midfielder's centre allowed Mitrovic to lay the ball off for Wijnaldum to slide into the bottom right corner from 12 yards.

And 20 minutes later Mitrovic turned scorer to make it 2-0, heading home Sissoko's fine right-wing cross from 12 yards after Spurs had allowed Newcastle too much time on the ball out wide.

Tottenham's first real chance fell to Eriksen at an acute angle after being found by Harry Kane, but the Denmark international's effort was saved well by Karl Darlow at his near post.

Lamela made it 2-1 on 61 minutes from an acute angle on the left after being found by Eric Dier, his left-footed effort somehow finding its way past Karl Darlow in the Newcastle goal at the near post.

The momentum then swung Spurs' way further as Mitrovic was sent off for a nasty scrape down Walker's shin at the touchline, but the visitors failed to take advantage.

Referee Anthony Taylor awarded Newcastle a penalty with 17 minutes remaining after Sissoko went down under the challenge of Eriksen, but replays showed the midfielder was toppled too easily.

Wijnaldum stepped up to send Hugo Lloris the wrong way for 3-1, and with Arsenal comfortably beating Aston Villa, Spurs' hopes of finishing above their rivals were fading.

Sissoko, who was magnificent on the day, then forced a fine save from Lloris from range, before the French goalkeeper denied Andros Townsend down low to his left.

Lloris was at it again late on, denying Sissoko one-on-one as Spurs piled forward and left just two defenders back, but Newcastle wrapped it up through Aarons' fine half-volley into the far corner at the left of the area after Townsend had hit the woodwork.

There was enough time for defender Janmaat to make it 5-1 a minute later, finding the bottom left corner on the break as Lloris positioned himself questionably towards his near post, and that's how it stayed as St James' Park urged Benitez to continue his work with the club into the Championship.

A fine season ended on a sour note for Spurs, though Kane, starved of chances on Sunday, will end the season as Premier League top scorer with 25 goals.

Player ratings

Newcastle: Darlow (6), Janmaat (7), Taylor (7), Mbemba (7), Dummett (7), Townsend (8), Tiote (7), Colback (7), Sissoko (9), Wijnaldum (8), Mitrovic (7)

Subs: Sterry (N/A), Shelvey (6), Aarons (7),

Tottenham: Lloris (4), Walker (4), Alderweireld (3), Vertonghen (4), Davies (4); Dier (4), Mason (4); Lamela (5), Eriksen (5), Son (4); Kane (5)

Subs: Carroll (5), Chadli (5), Onomah (5)

Man of the match: Moussa Sissoko