Newcastle United handed the rest of the Premier League a major statement with a thumping 6-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
This hammering means there are now six points between Newcastle and Spurs not to mention a game in hand for Eddie Howe's team and a better goal difference. Newcastle are not in the Champions League yet but they may now require just a few more win to return to Europe's top table.
Here, the Magpies threatened to chalk up their biggest ever Premier League win here - an 8-0 win over Sheff Wed back in 1999 - but in dismantling Spurs they effectively have one foot in next season's Champions League. If United beat Everton on Thursday night they will hold a nine point lead over Spurs with six matches to play - it's almost a done deal.
READ MORE: Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur highlights and reaction from St James' Park
The game was officiated by the Carabao Cup final referee David Coote who got proceedings under way on time and amid an April shower at St James' Park. Any late comers to this top four clash missed Newcastle's blistering start to the game.
In Newcastle's first attack, Joelinton ran at the Spurs defence before unleashing a powerful shot which Hugo Lloris could only get a hand to as he pushed the ball as far as Jacob Murphy who rammed the loose ball home. Just two minutes later Murphy turned provider to play in Alexander Isak but Eric Dier got a timely block in.
But United were soon 2-0 up after just six minutes as Fabian Schar's lofted ball over the top caught Spurs napping and Joelinton elegantly controlled in the box. The £40million man then calmly rounded Lloris and slotted into the net to double Newcastle's advantage.
Incredibly the lead was extended even further with just nine minutes gone. Murphy still buzzing after his early opener picked the ball up 30 yards from goal and decided to fizz one at goal.
The shot could hardly have been hit much better with Lloris left rooted to the spot and only able to watch it fly into the bottom corner. But the game was soon to get even better for Howe's Magpies.
Willock provided the perfect pass with a ball with the outside of his boot from the left-hand side before Isak received it in space just outside the box. The Sweden international then made his way into the box and fired home to make it 4-0.
It was then 5-0 just two minutes later as Sean Longstaff got in on the act to supply Isak with a fine back-heeled ball before he added his second of the day. At this stage, there was a sense of disbelief around St James' as Spurs fans began pouring towards the exits for early trains with Newcastle building up an unassailable lead.
Spurs acting coach Cristian Stellini then made a change after just 22 minutes with Pape Sarr taken off and Davinson Sanchez taken off. Newcastle kept their foot on the gas but could not add to the handsome scoreline before the break.
On 40 minutes, Longstaff was taken down near the edge of the box but ref Coote played on and Willock sent a shot over. And before the half-time whistle, Longstaff fired a shot just wide.
Understandably, Newcastle were roared off by their fans at the break after one of the best first halves in their Premier League history. Spurs took off their demoralised stopper Lloris at half-time as ex-Newcastle keeper Fraser Forster went on his place.
The second half started with a chance for Longstaff but he saw his effort blocked low down. And Spurs managed to pull a goal back three minutes into the second half as Harry Kane got past Schar before firing low past Pope into the bottom corner.
Moments later Ivan Perisic sent a shot over the bar with Pope at full stretch but Newcastle were firmly in control still. On 52 minutes Longstaff hammered a shot across the face of goal with the effort going inches wide and only needing a touch to make it half a dozen.
Just before the hour mark Kieran Trippier teed up Dan Burn but Spurs survived another moment of intensity. Spurs kept going to their credit with Son and then Cristian Romero going close on 64 minutes but to no avail.
Howe introduced both Miguel Almiron and Callum Wilson with Murphy and Isak going off. And it took just a minute for the duo to make an impact from the bench.
Almiron drove at the Spurs defence down the right with the ball then bouncing kindly to Wilson who applied the finish from close range to make it 6-1 on 67 minutes. Howe started to rest his key men - with Everton in mind on Thursday - with Trippier replaced by Javier Manquillo and Bruno going off for Anthony Gordon.
Schar then went off with a leg injury and was replaced by Jamaal Lascelles for the final 16 minutes. With 12 minutes to go Willock slipped in Gordon but his shot was saved by Forster.
Spurs introduced expensive summer signing Richarlison on for the final throes of the game as he replaced Son. Pope was called into action with two minutes left as he parried away the danger from Arnaut Danjuma's effort.
As three minutes of stoppage time was announced by the fourth official, Willock's shot spun high into the air and was gathered by Forster.
Newcastle searched in vain for another goal to add even more stardust to the scoreline but the truth is this game was pretty much sewn up with just nine minutes on the clock. It doesn't get much better than this, or does it?
Anything feels possible again in the world of Newcastle United.
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