There was a moment in the second half at Spurs in which Newcastle United observers saw an all too familiar sight this season.
With 20 minutes of the game left, Dwight Gayle returned from a warm-up only to be delivered the news he has grown to get used to at United, for the 23rd time this season in the Premier League he learned he wasn't going to be getting an appearance. Even at 4-1 down with nothing more than a consolation up for grabs, it was decided that keeping the scoreline down was a better option.
In fairness to Gayle he has not complained about the situation he has found himself in but for any footballer, not even getting a sniff of a chance must be disheartening. True, Gayle is a team player and his presence in the dressing room is a positive one.
