Newcastle United 6-1 Spurs. Yes, it really happened. There may still be seven games to go in this remarkable campaign, but it felt like Eddie Howe's side took a giant step towards qualifying for the Champions League at St James' Park on Sunday. No wonder supporters chanted: "Tell me ma, me ma. I won't be home for tea. We're going to Italy!" You would not bet against it.
These fans were still singing long after the final whistle and the Gallowgate End was practically full as players and staff made their way around the pitch on a victory lap. Among those taking it all in from the stands was 18-year-old Reece Byrne, who will join Newcastle from Bohemians this summer. Byrne already knew he was moving to a club that was going places, but the Irish goalkeeper personally witnessed a changing of the guard before his own eyes.
To think Spurs were considered Newcastle's top four rivals. Not on this evidence. This felt like two clubs going in very different directions. Not only did Newcastle move six points clear of Spurs in third place with a game in hand to boot - the Magpies delivered a psychological blow to an already fragile side.
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Newcastle blew Spurs away from literally the first minute when Jacob Murphy opened the scoring after just 61 seconds - and the ruthless hosts did not let up. Indeed, there was disbelief in the stadium midway through the first half after Newcastle raced into a 5-0 lead following further goals from Joelinton, Murphy (again) and a double from Alexander Isak. Murphy was only half-joking when he said: "The boys ran out of celebration ideas in the end!"
Although Harry Kane pulled one back for Spurs after the break, substitute Callum Wilson soon restored Newcastle's five-goal advantage with a close-range finish as Howe's team recorded their biggest Premier League win since 2011. Yet it was rather telling that there were no over the top celebrations in the dressing room after the customary team photograph was taken. Worryingly for Newcastle's rivals, the black-and-whites were not getting carried away because the job is not finished yet. There is still more to come.
"There was a little bit of happiness, which you want, and smiles," Howe told reporters. "That feeling of winning is so unique and I'm delighted for the players that they're getting to experience that.
"But I spoke about moving on to the next game very quickly because, in a three game week, you can't get too high. You can't celebrate. I don't want the players to necessarily celebrate that win. I want them to be happy and content, but I want our focus now to be on preparing for Everton."
Those preparations will again attempt to cover all bases like they did at the weekend. This may have been the first time that Spurs had lined up with a back four this season yet it said it all that Newcastle planned accordingly and worked on that during the week.
More than anything, though, the players were desperate to respond, following the 3-0 defeat at Aston Villa, and impose themselves on Spurs. They did that, all right.
Spurs may have enjoyed visiting St James' in years gone by, but the Londoners could not have got on the bus quicker after this humiliation. You would not have known the stakes were so high for both teams.
Captain Jamaal Lascelles admitted Newcastle 'couldn't be more motivated to go out and perform' while Joelinton vowed 'we will give everything.' Newcastle certainly needed no added motivation as they looked to make amends for their uncharacteristic showing at Villa Park.
Howe said he had a 'lot to think about' in the immediate aftermath of that loss but, tellingly, the Newcastle boss resisted making sweeping changes. This side, after all, had won their previous five games beforehand and they had bounced back from similar defeats before.
Howe, therefore, made just one change as Sean Longstaff returned to the starting line-up in place of Anthony Gordon after the midfielder recovered from a bout of tonsillitis. Longstaff could only look on from the bench as their side made a poor start at Villa Park, following poor openings at Brentford and West Ham, and Newcastle could not afford a similar beginning against Spurs.
Yet, crucially, Newcastle did not allow that to happen as Howe's team fed off the energy of the crowd and raced out of the blocks. In fact, there were just 61 seconds on the clock when Newcastle took the lead.
Joelinton let fly after easily cutting inside from the left and Hugo Lloris could only parry the ball into the path of Jacob Murphy, who made no mistake from close range. It was the dream start for the hosts - but it was about to get even better.
Only five minutes had been played when Joelinton latched onto Fabian Schar's superb diagonal and the Brazilian coolly rounded Lloris before firing home to double his side's lead. Remarkably, Newcastle were only getting started as shell-shocked Spurs fell apart.
Smelling blood, Schar pressed the dallying Son heung-Min deep in Spurs' half and the ball fell to Murphy 30 yards from goal. Spurs' players backed off Murphy, who did not need a second invitation, and the winger picked out the bottom left-hand corner with a superb finish. Even a beaming Murphy looked in disbelief - Newcastle were 3-0 up after just eight minutes.
Spurs looked like they wanted to be put out of their misery with the full-time whistle there and then, but it was about to get even worse for the visitors in the 19th minute. Joe Willock's stunning pass with the outside of his boot sent Alexander Isak through on goal and the striker expertly slotted home.
Isak was not just content with one, though. Isak made it 5-0 just a couple of minutes later when Longstaff pulled it back to his team-mate and the Sweden international lashed the ball into the bottom corner.
The roof had long come off the stadium by then and Newcastle could have even added to their lead before the break. Willock fired over from the edge of the box in the 39th minute before Longstaff's effort deflected just wide before half-time.
Newcastle ultimately had to make do with 'just' the five goals as the players left the field to deafening cheers and chants of 'Toon! Toon!' at half-time. Spurs, surely, could not be any worse after the break? Surely?
Harry Kane duly pulled one back for the visitors when he brushed past Schar and fired the ball into the bottom corner in the 49th minute, but the unlikeliest of comebacks was never on. Rather than shutting up shop, Howe threw on Miguel Almiron and Callum Wilson midway through the second half and the latter restored Newcastle's five-goal cushion with literally his first touch from close range after the former's shot was blocked.
By that stage, Newcastle fans were chanting about jaunts to Italy. It might be time to dust off those passports.
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