Spurs steal win from Magpies

Newcastle 0 Spurs 1

Thimothee Atouba handed Tottenham a rare victory at Newcastle as Bobby Robson’s difficult week went from bad to worse.

The Cameroon international struck with a fine right-footed effort six minutes into the second half to claim all three points after United had failed to make the most of their chances.

Paul Robinson pulled off fine saves from James Milner and Laurent Robert, but had it not been for Shay Given, who denied Jermain Defoe a second for the visitors, the margin of victory could have been even greater.

The Irish netminder needed the help of internatioal colleague Steven Carr on the line a few minutes later after King met a flick-on at the near post and headed towards goal.

Bobby Robson went for broke with 13 minutes remaining when he sent on Shola Ameobi, Patrick Kluivert and, to a mixed but largely supportive response, Dyer for Robert, Milner and Jenas.

But even a side packed with attacking talent cannot thrive if it is not supplied properly, and a scuffed Ameobi shot apart, that was the case.