Newcastle United humiliated Tottenham Hotspur in a seven-goal thriller that included five goals in 21 stunning first-half minutes as they ran out 6-1 winners in a Premier League top-four spot showdown.
Braces from Jacob Murphy and Alexander Isak with Brazilian Joelinton adding another saw the Toons pummel their way through a porous Spurs defence that was already under the spotlight from last week’s 3-2 defeat against Bournemouth.
Harry Kane pulled one back in the second half at St James’ Park for his tenth against Newcastle United but Callum Wilson added a sixth to complete the rout just after he came off the bench.
The embarrassing defeat is a significant blow to Spurs’ dwindling hopes of securing Champions League qualification – but in contrast the Magpies are now in a commanding position to finish in the top four as they climbed to third place on goal difference albeit being tied on points with Manchester United who are in FA Cup action this weekend.
WestHam United blew away fellow strugglers Bournemouth with a polished display in their 4-0 victory at the Vitality Stadium as the Hammers took a big step towards Premier League safety.
Michael Antonio rose highest and headed home from Aaron Cresswell’s corner for the opener at Vitality Stadium.
It was his 100th goal in the top four tiers of English league football.
The Hammers featured four different scorers on the scoresheet in the enthralling encounter as Lucas Paqueta, Declan Rice and Pablo Fornals also added to their tallies.
The win, their third away from home this season, sees David Moyes’ side move up to 13th in the table and six points clear of the relegation zone while Bournemouth are one point and two places behind in 15th place.