Newcastle United climbed into a Champions League place in the Premier League after a richly deserved 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Magpies were full value for the win but at times found themselves under the cosh - although their much heralded defensive solidity saw them through. On a day in which Heung-Min Son had four attempts in the first 10 minutes, Newcastle kept their nerve and went in at half-time with a two-goal cushion.
Spurs clawed themselves back into the game with a goal from Harry Kane but Newcastle used all of their gamesmanship to see off Tottenham.
READ MORE: Tottenham 1-2 Newcastle highlights
The home side had the first attempt at goal with less than a minute on the clock as Heung-Min Son got free down the left but fired straight at Nick Pope.
Two minutes later Son tried his luck again from distance but his right-footed effort landed on the roof of the net after he'd received a pass from Oliver Skipp.
With five minutes gone Newcastle players were appealing for a penalty after Emerson Royal tangled with Joelinton but after a VAR check ref Jarred Gillett waved away protests.
Son tried again on eight minutes but his effort was blazed over the bar with Pope untroubled. Incredibly, Son got through again for a fourth time in the opening 10 minutes and tried to clip it over Pope.
But the England keeper got a glove to his effort before Kieran Trippier swept the remaining danger clear. Spurs created another chance on 15 minutes but Yves Bissouma's 20-yard effort flew over the bar at the Paxton Terrace end.
There was a real scare for Eric Dier on 20 minutes when his poor back-pass almost flew past Hugo Lloris in the Tottenham goal but instead rolled out for a wasted Toon corner.
Spurs had another chance mid-way through the first half when Ryan Sessegnon burst free down the left but despite having time and space to pick his spot Fabian Schar got back to block the ball.
Callum Wilson had an effort at goal on 25 minutes and was then on the end of Clement Lenglet's late boot but he survived a late challenge.
On the half-hour mark, Harry Kane broke down the left and even though he shuffled past Fabian Schar his angled effort was saved by the foot of Pope.
The Magpies went ahead on 31 minutes after a route one ball from Schar. The Switzerland star's pass through the middle found Wilson.
Wilson then went in for a 50-50 with Lloris who was forced to sprint out of his goal but it dropped kindly for the number 9 who calmly chipped it over the keeper from 25 yards.
A VAR check for handball then followed but ref Gillett - after a review by David Coote - awarded the goal. Amid the Spurs fury Rodrigo Bentancur was booked for his protests with an incredible contest unfolding on Super Sunday. The intensity was ignited further as Newcastle had the audacity to go further ahead.
Indeed, it was 2-0 before the interval as Sean Longstaff nodded a poor Lloris clearance past Sessegnon before playing in Almiron.
The Paraguay skipper then danced through the Spurs defence and slammed it past Lloris to double the lead after a run down the right-hand side to collect his sixth of the season.
And that's how it stayed as the referee brought the first half to an end with Newcastle - if anything - not so pleased to hear the whistle after being on top.
The two teams then walked back out to a downpour with thunder and lightning in the air in North London. And then United had to weather the storm - on and off the field.
United picked up in the second half where they had left off with a Longstaff cross flicking off the hands of Royal after Joelinton's header.
Newcastle protested intently but had got nowhere and inevitably, Tottenham did not turn down a route back into the game. However, the appeal was waved away by the officials and Spurs pulled themselves back into the game through Kane.
A Spurs corner was flicked across goal by Sven Botman before Kane got ahead of Trippier to head home low down and make it 2-1.
Wilson sent an effort wide moments later with Newcastle's lead suddenly not looking so comfortable in the capital. Schar tried his luck after a run into the final third mid-way through the second half but he could only fire at the France international.
With emotions running high Wilson was booked for trying to block a kick out of Lloris' hands. Spurs threw on Lucas Moura to replace Skipp as they searched for a leveller.
Howe made his first change of the night when Murphy replaced Willock for the final 15 minutes. Spurs threw on Ben Davies and Matt Doherty for the closing stages with Davinson Sanchez and Lenglet.
With six minutes to go Pope picked up a yellow card as the Magpies tried to run down the clock and hold on to their slender lead.
Howe called for Jonjo Shelvey to come on for his first appearance of the Premier League season and he was joined by Chris Wood for the closing stages.
Wood drew a foul immediately and ensured Royal was booked for his trouble with Newcastle eager to eat up the seconds. A minimum of five minutes added time followed for United to hold on against Conte's battling side. But Newcastle were in no mood to let go of their grip on the three points and edged the contest.
This was a superb win in the capital and means Newcastle go into next Saturday's home clash with Aston Villa absolutely brimming with confidence. Nobody wants to face the Magpies right now - that's for sure.
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