Newcastle United issued another statement of intent in their quest for a Champions League spot next season by hitting Tottenham Hotspur for six in Sunday afternoon's crucial affair. The Magpies came out with guns blazing to make history by securing an emphatic 6-1 victory over the North London club inside St James' Park, resultantly condemning the latter to a new low in the Premier League.
The onslaught began under just a minute after kick-off, with Jacob Murphy hitting the opening goal inside the first 61 seconds. Within nine minutes, the hosts were three up, thanks to succesive goals the former and Joelinton. Alexander Isak subsequently put the game completely out of reach and seal the first-half annihilation with a goal in the 19th and 21st minute respectively.
3 - Newcastle are only the sixth side in Premier League history to score three goals within the opening 9 minutes of a Premier League match, and first since Man City vs Burnley in April 2010. Blocks. pic.twitter.com/WmnuiO58Ac
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 23, 2023
Four minutes after play resumed for the second half, Harry Kane pulled a goal back for the visitors. However, the five-goal lead was restored once more when substitute Callum Wilson got on the scoresheet in the 67th minute.
5 - Newcastle have taken a 5-0 lead within 21 minutes, the second-earliest a side has done so in Premier League history, after Man City v Watford in September 2019 (18th minute). Stop. pic.twitter.com/AgRctZdQYZ
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 23, 2023
The afternoon's loss added to Tottenham's miseries, with the quest to secure a Champions League qualification spot taking another big hit. Spurs are fifth in the Premier League after the defeat and are currently six points behind Newcastle and Manchester United in the pursuit for Champions League qualification. Both Newcastle and Man United have a game in hand on the North London club.
5 - Newcastle 6-1 Tottenham was the Magpies' biggest Premier League win since January 2011 v West Ham (5-0), and Spurs' heaviest Premier League defeat since December 2013 v Liverpool (0-5). Cricket. pic.twitter.com/mdEgqY1tXr
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 23, 2023