Away day blues dent Tottenham hopes

Newcastle 3 Tottenham 1

Keane, who scored as Staunton’s new captain in the Republic of Ireland’s 3-0 triumph over Sweden last month, was Jol’s choice as his skipper because of the late withdrawal of Ledley King with an ankle injury.

Keane responded with his 14th goal of the season and also struck the bar, but most of his team-mates were far less effective. Tottenham have consistently failed to find form away from White Hart Lane this season, winning only twice on their travels in 2006, and that sequence was extended against a Lee Bowyer-inspired Newcastle side.

Jol insisted he was happy with Keane’s performance, but he clearly believes there is more to come from his stand-in skipper. “The statistics say he is the number one striker in the country and his ability is not in doubt,” said Jol. “But he should shoot more and score some more goals.”

The same could be said of Bowyer, but he will point out that his chances have been limited since his Newcastle career stalled after that on-pitch scuffle with team-mate Kieron Dyer a year ago.

Bowyer looked certain to leave during the January transfer window, but is now hinting he is keen to stay. Caretaker-manager Glenn Roeder said: “I have heard Lee say he will wait and see who the new manager is and, if he gets on with him, he could stay. He has been looking to move, but why can’t he change his mind? He is fully fit and highly motivated.”

Bowyer ensured Tottenham got off to the worst possible start with a goal after only 65 seconds. Alan Shearer began a well-worked move that ended with Bowyer sliding in to put away a Charles N’Zogbia cross.

Spurs responded well and Keane headed home an Aaron Lennon cross in the 19th minute.

However, Newcastle again took the lead five minutes later when Paul Robinson could only parry Nolberto Solano’s long range effort and Shola Ameobi steered the ball home.

Shearer coolly slotted home their third from the penalty spot for the Tynesiders to double their lead on the half-hour after Davids needlessly felled Bowyer in the area and any hopes of a comeback faded in the space of 10 minutes early in the second-half.

Michael Dawson compounded Spurs misery when he was sent off for picking up his second yellow card.

Tottenham remain in fourth place, but Jol admitted: “If Arsenal win all their games and do well in the league it will be difficult to finish fourth. And, if they win the Champions League, fourth will mean nothing. For us it is important we get more than 60 points and wait and see where that puts us.”

However it looks likely that he will have to contest this week’s home game against Man City without King as well as the suspended Dawson. “I didn’t want to risk him,” said Jol. “Everyone knows how important Ledley is to us and, without him, we looked nervous whenever we got the ball.”

Opta Fact: Four of the Magpies’ last five Premiership games have ended with a 3-1 scoreline.

Opta Fact: Robbie Keane has scored six goals in his last five Premiership matches.