Newcastle United have taken a huge step towards qualifying for the Champions League following a superb 6-1 win against top four rivals Spurs.
Dominant Newcastle went into the break 5-0 up following doubles from Jacob Murphy and Alexander Isak and a goal from Joelinton at St James' Park. Although Harry Kane pulled one back for Spurs after half-time, substitute Callum Wilson restored his side's five-goal advantage in the 67th minute.
Here are five things we learned from the game.
READ MORE: Newcastle United vs Spurs highlights
Newcastle deliver perfect response as Spurs embarrassed
The stakes for this game could not have been any higher. This was not only a chance for Newcastle to deliver a psychological blow to beleaguered Spurs and move six points clear of their top four rivals with a game in hand. It was also an opportunity to respond.
Last week's defeat at Aston Villa was the first time that Newcastle had truly been well beaten in the Premier League this season, but this group have always tended to bounce back after a setback. Indeed, Kieran Trippier vowed the 3-0 defeat 'won't affect us' as the on the field skipper pointed to the group's 'great mentality and togetherness'. This was not just empty talk - Newcastle absolutely tore Spurs apart.
Jacob Murphy got the ball rolling after just 61 seconds when the winger fired home after Hugo Lloris could only parry Joelinton's effort from distance. Joelinton then doubled his side's lead just a few minutes later after latching onto Fabian Schar's superb diagonal.
Newcastle were only getting started. There were nine minutes on the clock when Schar pushed up and pressed Son heung-Min deep in Spurs' half and the ball fell to Murphy, who was invited to shoot from distance. Spurs' players underestimated the winger, who made it 3-0 with a stunning strike into the bottom corner past a statuesque Lloris.
Ruthless Newcastle were not finished yet and Alexander Isak made it four after Joe Willock's superb first-time pass sent him through on goal before the Sweden international added a fifth when he lashed home following Sean Longstaff's pullback.
Although Harry Kane pulled one back for the break, it did not take Newcastle long to restore their five-goal advantage as substitute Callum Wilson made it 6-1. This was an utterly dominant display.
Spurs fans sent to the exits as Newcastle win tactical battle
Eddie Howe may have warned 'no one is safe' following last week's defeat at Villa, but the Newcastle boss is never one to make sweeping changes after a heavy loss, particularly at such a crucial juncture of the campaign.
Sean Longstaff, as expected, came back into the side, with Joelinton moving out to the left, after the midfielder missed the Villa game following a bout of tonsillitis. Having been an ever-present for so many months, Longstaff's rare absence was a timely reminder of what he brings to this side, whether it is the dirty work he does out of possession or his ability to keep hold of the ball when in possession.
Cristian Stellini recognised that, switching to a 4-3-3 in response to the power and energy he expected from Newcastle in the middle of the park, but the visitors' game plan was soon undone with Newcastle ruthlessly exploiting the fact Ivan Perisic and Pedro Porro are not recognised full-backs. It said it all that Stellini reverted to a back five and threw on Davinson Sanchez midway through the first half, which felt like a damage limitation exercise at 3-0 down. Only it did not work, with his side going on to concede another three goals.
The government's emergency alert may have pinged around mobile phones across the stadium at 3pm but that wake-up call came too late for Spurs. No wonder so many Spurs fans did not bother returning for the second half. Those who did repeatedly chanted: "We want Levy out!" as Spurs chairman Daniel Levy watched on.
St James' leaves Spurs shell-shocked
The biggest difference on Sunday was a change in mindset. Callum Wilson admitted Newcastle had 'fallen into the trap' of knowing what to expect but 'letting it happen' against Villa. Kieran Trippier went as far as to say Newcastle were 'not right from minute one' after his side also made sluggish starts at Brentford and West Ham.
This time, however, Newcastle were back to their aggressive best and the hosts were on the front foot from the off, getting the crowd into the game from the first minute. Newcastle duly blew Spurs away, leaving the field to heroic cheers at half-time, and chants of 'Toon! Toon!', with every supporter on their feet. They were soon chanting: "Tell me ma, me ma. I won't be home for tea. We're going to Italy" as their side went 6-1 up in the second half.
You can see why Son heung-Min admitted 'this place is hugely difficult' before a ball was even kicked while Stellini felt it was 'one of the worst stadiums to play for the atmosphere and power' for a fragile side who had not won outside of London since October. Four of Newcastle's final seven games of the campaign are at home and these fixtures will go a long way to deciding whether the Champions League anthem is playing at this iconic stadium next season.
Ruthless Newcastle put Spurs to sword
Rather that settle at any point, Eddie Howe and assistant Jason Tindall repeatedly urged their side forward in search of more goals. Never was that more apparent than midway through the second half.
Newcastle were 5-1 up, but Howe wanted more as the Newcastle boss threw on both Miguel Almiron and Callum Wilson. The pair made an instant impact.
There were 67 minutes on the clock when Almiron's shot was deflected into the path of Wilson and the number nine made no mistake with literally his first touch to make it 6-1 from close range. With Isak also getting on the scoresheet on Sunday, Newcastle have had three different players score 10 plus goals in a Premier League season for the very first time.
Sven Botman reaction shows standards
It may have ultimately only proved a consolation goal, but Sven Botman was far from happy when Harry Kane pulled a goal back for Spurs in the 49th minute. Kane easily shook off Fabian Schar inside the box before picking out the far corner to make it 5-1.
After the ball hit the net, Botman had his hands on his head before throwing them down in frustration as Newcastle missed out on a clean sheet. The meanest defence in the Premier League may have ultimately limited Spurs to just two efforts on target, but it shows how high standards are now at the club that Botman was frustrated not to go home with a shutout.
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