FT: Newcastle 2 Tottenham 1

Modric: Equaliser for Spurs

It's all over at St James' Park and a last-gasp goal from substitute Damien Duff seals the win for Newcastle who continue their recent good run of form. Tottenham will go away disappointed to not get anything from the game after Luke Modric's first half equaliser.

89 GOAL DUFF Damien Duff picks out Viduka before the striker lays the ball back to Duff who beautifully finishes past Gomes. An inspired substitution by Joe Kinnear.

87 Newcastle substitution: Jose Enrique is replaced by Damien Duff.

87 Gutierrez is sent flying after being caught by Modric and the Tottenham striker is shown a yellow card.

85 Lennon flicks a cross across goal but Campbell's run is slightly too early and Newcastle are let off the hook. The home side surge straight into attack but Guthrie's eventual cross is easily cleared by Gomes.

84 Assou-Ekotto wins the ball back down the left before Gutierrez lunges in with a brilliant tackle. Damien Duff may well be coming on soon for Newcastle, the Irishman is warming up on the touchline.

82 Huddlestone is in the thick of it again as he gets away from Enrique and attempts to cross a ball across the face of goal. Spurs are continuing to push forward into these late stages of the game.

81 Huddlestone finds Lennon on the edge of the box but the winger slips and Enrique can clear the ball. It's end-to-end stuff here at St James' Park.

80 Campbell flicks a cross in from a tight angle towards Modric but the Newcastle defence stand strong to clear the ball upfield towards N'Zogbia.

78 As Bentley prepares to take a free kick, the referee calls over Colloccini and Dawson as the two defenders tussle in the box. Bentley whips in the free kick but Butt is the man to clear for Newcastle.

76 Bassong continues his strong display at the back as he looks to slow down the pace. I feel that one goal now would nick it but it really could come from either side.

Freddie in London completely disagrees with an earlier comment, he says: "David from Israel, needs to stay in Israel! Owen to steal the winner and Newcastle to win 2-1."

74 Huddlestone clears from the back and the ball finds Lennon down the right who immediately pushes the ball forward to Campbell. The substitute can't find enough pace and Newcastle are out of danger again.

73 Huddlestone is walking a tightrope as he brings down Owen with a two-footed challenge. The referee immediately calls him over to give him a final warning.

72 Owen misses a glorious opportunity to put Newcastle back in front, instead firing his close range effort over the bar.

Graham from Gran Canaria reckons 2-1 to Newcastle will be the final score with Michael Owen grabbing the winner.

68 Spurs win back a Newcastle throw but Campbell loses out in the box and the home side have chance to compose themselves at the back.

66 Huddlestone tries a 20-yard effort but it's done little to trouble Given as it sails wide of the post.

With just under half an hour to go there's still chance to place your bet at skybet.com. A draw is now odds on favourite at 4/5.

65 Tottenham substitution: A gulm Roman Pavlyuchenko is replaced by Fraizer Campbell.

David in Israel has emailed in with his thoughts: "Tottenham are getting stronger by the week, although the high number of injuries is worrying. We will get another two goals and move above the North Eastern teams. I'm back in London for the Boxing Day game when we will put four in against Fulham just like last year." Confident words from David.

62 Huddlestone goes into the referee's notebook after diving over Given in the box. A good decision by the referee.

62 Butt plays a neat ball through to Owen but Gomes immediately comes off his line to collect the ball on the edge of the box. The Spurs 'keeper is having an uneventful game by his standards.

61 Bentley sends in a corner towards King but it's immediately cleared by Newcastle and Gutierrez is at the centre of their attack. The winger makes a strong run but is cut out before seeing Owen in oceans of space on the right.

58 Guthrie sends in a terrific looping free kick to the far post but Colloccini can't quite stretch far enough and it goes out for a Tottenham goal kick. That would have been a surprise goal for the Newcastle defender.

57 Newcastle have another free kick, this time from just inside the Spurs half. Zokora kicks the ball away in frustration and Andre Marriner calls the midfielder over for a quick talking to.

56 Butt is greeted with a cheer from the travelling Tottenham fans as his 25-yard effort goes high and wide of Gomes' goal.

55 Newcastle have had slightly more possession so far in the game but it's Spurs who have created more chances - six shots compared to Newcastle's two.

53 Lennon gets the better of Enrique to send a cross in but it goes straight at Given who immediately launches the ball upfield for a Newcastle attack.

51 Lennon tries to get away from Enrique but the full-back comes out on top again and begins a Newcastle attack. Lennon has been quiet this afternoon. Newcastle have obviously planned their tactics well to prevent the winger making his trademark runs.

49 Newcastle are moving the ball well as they patiently wait for a gap to make that crucial pass. Meanwhile for Spurs, Ledley King is struggling at the back.

46 Spurs take a short corner which finds its way to Dawson, the defender not controlling the ball well allowing Colloccini to clear.

46 The second half is underway as both side's look to grab the three points. It was tight first half so it really may be one goal that snatches the three points.

One last comment before the second half gets underway - Dave Neath says: "I was never optimistic about this one. We usually ease to a win against Spurs but everything has been going too well in the last week for it to continue!" Stay positive Dave, 45 minutes left yet.

Brian Stevens in New Zealand is following the game with us this afternoon. He predicts a 3-1 win to Newcastle. And Phil in Texas reckons we're in for a 3-2 'goalfest' with Newcastle coming out victors.

Speaking of Sunderland, Albert in Spain has emailed in with hopes of a draw so both side's remain below the Mackems. While Craig is desperate for a win to the visitors: "Spurs need to win to really kick-start their climb up the table and Newcastle are the perfect opponents to do that with."

Darren predicts a glut of goals in the second half with Newcastle coming out 5-1 victors. Daniel Bradley also reckons the Toon will come out on top with a 3-2 win and move back above Sunderland.

Andre Marriner blows the whistle for half time and it's honours even at the break. Charles N'Zogbia opened the scoring for Newcastle thanks to a Shay Given assist from the back, before Luka Modric beat the offside trap to bring Tottenham level. It's all to play for in the second half.

A 2-1 win to either Newcastle or Spurs is now 4/1 at skybet.com. It's definitely a close one and either side could come out victors. I would think a draw at half time will be welcomed by both managers.

42 A Zokora slip lets in Newcastle and they look to punish Spurs, playing some neat play in the centre of the park. Guthrie eventually whips in a corner from the right but it's too long for N'Zogbia and Spurs can build from the back.

39 N'Zogbia powers a direct cross to Owen but it's too strong for the striker and Dawson can comfortably clear the danger. It's an open game and either side could take the lead before half time.

38 Huddlestone plays an early looping ball towards Modric but the assistant referee has his flag up for offside. The decision is welcomed by sarcastic cheers from the Toon fans.

37 Joe Kinnear is far from impressed on the touchline as Assou-Ekotto sends Beye tumbling to the ground. The Newcastle defender gets back on his feet but looks shaken after that nasty landing.

36 Lennon fails to get that half a yard on Enrique down the right and the full-back clears for yet another Spurs corner. That's five corners for Spurs but as yet they have failed to make anything of them.

34 Corluka plays in an early ball towards Pavlyuchenko waiting in the box but Coloccini gets enough on it to send it out for another Spurs corner. The momentum is now definitely with the visitors after their equaliser.

32 Bentley makes a strong run down the centre but a well-timed challenge from Gutierrez prevents him playing the ball across to a free Aaron Lennon.

29 Ameobi is off for Newcastle and Mark Viduka is the man to replace him.

28 GOAL MODRIC Modric scores his second goal in two games for Spurs, picking up a Dawson long ball down the centre of the park. Initially it looked offside replays show that Enrique was playing him onside, Pavlyuchenko clearly offside when the ball was played through. Spurs are back in it.

27 N'Zogbia gets beyond Corluka and squeezes a ball past Huddlestone into the box before Assou-Ekotto picks up the loose ball to clear. The Toon fans are getting behind their boys, obviously helped by their 1-0 lead.

Anthony has emailed with his prediction: "I'm putting my money on another 3-0 victory for the Toon." It's looking good so far, Atnhony.

25 Bentley powers in a free kick from the left but it's disappointing again as it goes straight at Given who comfortably collects. Spurs are struggling to get any meaningful passes together so far this afternoon.

24 Butt times a run to perfection, picking up a Guthrie pass from 10 yards out. But the former Manchester United midfielder can't control it to get a shot away quickly and Spurs can clear.

23 Bentley wastes a Spurs corner by failing to get it past the first man. Dawson and King had come up for that one too.

22 Gutierrez still looks like he is struggling after that early challenge. Joe Kinnear may be forced into an early change.

20 Guthrie and Butt link up well in midfield before playing in Owen who makes the wrong choice in attempting the lay the ball off to Ameobi. Owen should have tried a shot from there, just five yards out.

19 Butt tries a clever across field pass to Owen, the striker doing well against the Spurs centre-backs to win a corner. The corner is sent in but is easily cleared by Corluka on the edge of the box.

18 Modric attempts to feed a neat ball through to Pavlyuchenko but Bassong's run is well timed to cut it out. The home side continue to be resilient.

Nathan has emailed in to say: "I'm going for a 2-1 Tottenham win with Modric and Lennon to score. Come on you Spurs!" It's still possible for a Spurs win Nathan, but Newcastle's defence are preventing a Spurs ball getting into the box as yet, forcing them into long range efforts.

14 Spurs are continuing to attack despite going a goal down. Bentley is the latest to try a shot, the ball too close to his feet to launch a meaningful effort on goal.

12 GOAL N'ZOGBIA Given sends a huge clearance towards N'Zogbia who runs onto the ball and sends Ledley King to the ground before placing the ball past Gomes. An unlikely assist from Given as Newcastle take the lead.

11 Enrique is shown the first yellow of the game, seemingly bringing down a surging Lennon by accident.

10 The referee fails to notice a clear handball from Bentley just outside the Newcastle box and confusion reigns as Andre Marriner blows a few seconds later.

8 Bentley whips in a Spurs corner towards the far post, Given pacing backwards to send it wide with a fingertip save. Colloccini should have done better to guard his 'keeper there.

6 Guthrie charges at the Spurs defence before playing the ball wide to Gutierrez. Assou-Ekotto reads his run well and Newcastle have the first corner of the game.

David Marshall in Libya is missing the game because of a meeting but predicts a 2-1 win to Newcastle. How rude to schedule a meeting during what looks like to be a great game.

4 N'Zogbia crosses an early ball towards Owen but King reads it well and sends it out for a throw. Owen and Ameobi are looking lively up front in these opening minutes.

2 Lennon squares a ball across the face of goal and it ricochets off the post towards Pavlyuchenko. The Russia international can't quite get there and Newcastle escape an early Spurs attack.

2 Gutierrez takes an early knock to the thigh from Assou-Ekotto but it looks harmless. He should be able to shake it off.

1 Underway: Referee Andre Marriner gets the game underway at St James' Park. It's five games unbeaten for Newcastle - can they maintain their good run of form this afternoon?

Spurs 2-0: Chris predicts a comfortable win for Spurs against a "shockingly awful" Newcastle team. He tips Modric and Pavlyuchenko to score.

Haway the lads: Dan has emailed in with more Newcastle support. He says: "I reckon Newcastle will do the business today and win the battle of the great improvers. We will sneak it 2-1 with Owen and Butt goals, Modric for Spurs."

Toon backing: Ant and Matt, stuck at work, predict Shola Ameobi and Michael Owen to net goals for Newcastle this afternoon. And, of course, a customary 'Come on the Toon.'

A draw is the favourite at skybet.com this afternoon where you can get odds of 12/5 for the points to be shared. But it's the Newcastle attack that is favoured to get the first goal with Owen 5/1 favourite, closely followed by Martins at 13/2. Pavlyuchenko at 6/1 is the favourite for Spurs first goal.

Newcastle team: Given, Beye, Bassong, Coloccini, Jose Enrique, Gutierrez, Guthrie, Butt, N'Zogbia, Ameobi, Owen. Subs: Harper,Duff, Geremi, Taylor, Edgar, Viduka, Carroll.

Tottenham team: Gomes, Corluka, King, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto, Bentley, Zokora, Huddlestone, Lennon, Pavlyuchenko, Modric. Subs: Cesar, Bale, Gunter, Campbell, Taarabt, Boateng, O'Hara.

Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands)

Team news: Obafemi Martins misses out with a groin injury so it's Shola Ameobi who partners Michael Owen up front for Newcastle. Damien Duff and Steven Taylor were pushing for inclusion after progressing with injuries but both are left on the bench by Joe Kinnear. Roman Pavlyuchenko and Vedran Corluka come back into the Spurs side after being cup-tied against Spartak Moscow on Thursday. Darren Bent is out but Luka Modric recovers from a hamstring injury to start.

Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of Newcastle's Premier League clash with Tottenham at St James' Park. Both sides are looking to cement a mid-table position as they continue their recent run of good form. If you've got something to say on the game send your comments and predictions to me at lauraslatcher@googlemail.com.