Tottenham Hotspur went into their Premier League meeting with Newcastle United knowing they could take advantage of Manchester United's Saturday slip-up and strengthen their European push, and they did just that despite a brief first-half scare.
Plenty had changed since Spurs and Newcastle last met back in October. On that occasion, Nuno Espirito Santo and Steve Bruce were in the dugouts for a 3-2 Tottenham win, but Antonio Conte and Eddie Howe have since stepped into the fold and overseen an uptick in results for their respective teams.
Conte's side began the day in fifth, with United's draw at home to Leicester ensuring Ralf Rangnick's side remained behind them despite having played a game more, though West Ham United overtook the north London side on goal difference before kick-off. Spurs arguably shaded the opening half hour, with neither side looking especially threatening, but the visitors took the lead when Fabian Schar's free-kick beat Hugo Lloris.
