Butt scores winner in high-octane clash

Tottenham 2 Newcastle 3

Newcastle midfielder Nicky Butt was involved in an ugly half-time bust-up at White Hart Lane then responded by firing in the winner against Tottenham today.

The former England midfielder was raging at the interval after he appeared to be slapped by Pascal Chimbonda, but he then helped his side complete a fine comeback in a thrilling Premiership clash.

Paul Huntington’s first goal for Newcastle had cancelled out Jermain Defoe’s opener before Dimitar Berbatov restored the lead in the end-to-end clash.

Obafemi Martins stunned Spurs with a spectacular strike with 19 minutes left then set up Butt for the winner two minutes later, giving Newcastle hope of establishing themselves in mid-table.

Martin Jol’s men have now lost consecutive games at home – after winning 12 in a row – and wasted their best chances as they looked for the points to help them break into the top six.

The opening half was full of chances and highlighted the strengths and weakness of each side, Spurs attacking with pace but also looking shaky without the influence of skipper Ledley King in defence.

The visitors could not be faulted for effort but were struggling for numbers, in particular a partner for Martins in attack.

The corresponding fixture last season saw Michael Owen pick up his famous metatarsal injury, and Newcastle’s injury worries had increased in the year that has passed.

Only two players remained from that clash – Nolberto Solano and Shay Given - and Glenn Roeder was without midfield pair Emre and Scott Parker.

Emre, who was charged by the Football Association earlier in the week for using racist language, had been struggling with a groin injury while Parker was back from suspension but not in the matchday squad.

Spurs attempted to capitalise on Newcastle’s inexperience and Given kept the visitors in the game early on.

He used his chest to deny Defoe in the fifth minute when Steed Malbranque slid him through, then the England striker hooked a volley over the bar.

Given, the Republic of Ireland goalkeeper, also had to save from a Berbatov drive and a dipping volley from Malbranque, the latter after Solano’s clearance had struck team-mate Steven Taylor in his own six-yard area.

The Newcastle stopper then produced a stunning save to claw away a Defoe header, but the England striker was not to be denied in the 14th minute.

Spurs switched the ball from right to left and Malbranque crossed for Defoe, who had stayed just level with the last defender, and he finished with confidence from close range.

The visitors, however, were level within two minutes when James Milner’s free-kick found Huntington unmarked at the back post. The left-back’s first effort rebounded back to him off Antoine Sibierski, and he then fired through Paul Robinson’s legs at the near post.

Both sides had half chances to grab the advantage, Malbranque wasting the best of them just before the half-hour mark when he lobbed wide after Given had rushed out to clear and was out of position.

Peter Ramage and Solano picked up yellow cards before the interval for fouling Aaron Lennon and Malbranque respectively, and there was added needle in the game stemming from Berbatov trying to block Given’s kicks.

Given confronted referee Steve Bennett about it at the break, with Butt and Chimbonda also clashing. Chimbonda appeared to slap Butt, who reacted and pushed the Spurs full-back in the chest, with Butt fuming as he was ushered down the tunnel. Both were booked.

After the break, Matthew Pattison was found at the far post by Milner but could not get power or direction on his header.

Spurs restored the lead in the 54th minute when Chimbonda raced down the right and crossed, Teemu Tainio’s finish was blocked by Solano but Berbatov steered his volley into the top corner.

Defoe then stung the palms of Given with a drive as Spurs looked for a third, with Tom Huddlestone’s fierce volley dipping just wide with 22 minutes left.

But Martin levelled for the visitors with 19 minutes left, exchanging passes with Kieron Dyer before finding the top corner from the edge of the area.

They were ahead two minutes later when Martins threaded the ball through to Butt, who squeezed his finish in at the far post.

Robbie Keane came on and had a shot blocked by Solano on the line, while Defoe hit the post – but Newcastle held on for victory.