Newcastle United vs Tottenham Hotspur. Premier League.
St James' Park, Newcastle.
Report and highlights as Jose Mourinho wins at St James' Park for first time ever
Thursday 16 July 2020 10:46, UK
Harry Kane's double took him past 200 club career goals as Tottenham earned a hard-fought 3-1 win at Newcastle to keep their Europa League qualifying hopes alive.
Spurs weren't at their best and, following Heung-Min Son's first-half opener (27), Matt Ritchie (56) deservedly pulled Newcastle level with a powerful strike.
But Kane was perfectly placed to nod home Steven Bergwijn's cross just four minutes later to bring up a personal landmark and, after a flurry of Newcastle chances, another close-range Kane header (90) ensured a boost to Spurs' chances of playing in Europe next season.
Tottenham move above Sheffield United into seventh - with the Blades playing Leicester live on Sky Sports on Thursday - while Newcastle remain safely settled in mid-table in 13th.
Newcastle had been defeated in their last two outings but back at St James' Park, where they hadn't lost a Premier League game since New Year's Day, they started brightly.
Miguel Almiron saw an early shot headed behind by Davinson Sanchez before firing over from the resulting corner, and Jonjo Shelvey warmed Hugo Lloris' hands with a free kick then nodded off target.
But it was Spurs who made the breakthrough just after the drinks break, when Fabian Schar was caught in possession by Lucas Moura and quick feet from Giovani Lo Celso allowed Son to clip a low shot past Martin Dubravka.
The South Korean - who had found the net in Sunday's 2-1 derby win over Arsenal - almost grabbed a second moments later, with his deflected effort drawing a fine parry from Dubravka.
Newcastle finished the half on top, though, with Dwight Gayle glancing Shelvey's cross onto the post and the hosts were level on 56 minutes after seeing off several waves of Spurs attacks after the restart.
Sub Valentino Lazaro drove into the box and when Serge Aurier hacked the loose ball straight to Ritchie, the Scot hammered his drive back across goal and into the far corner, giving Hugo Lloris no chance.
But Newcastle weren't ahead for long - just four minutes, in fact - before Kane (60) got the better of Emil Krafth to head home from Bergwijn's pinpoint cross to bring up his double ton of goals in club football.
The impressive Allan Saint-Maximin fired over as Newcastle sought an instant response and Lazaro lashed into the side-netting on 73 minutes. There were further efforts from Steve Bruce's side, with Shelvey and Saint-Maximin hitting the target.
But Kane struck again in the final moments, finishing a counter-attack he played a part in by heading in the rebound from Erik Lamela's shot, to secure Jose Mourinho's first-ever win at St James' Park and condemn Newcastle to a third defeat on the spin.
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce: "I was delighted with the way we played, but unfortunately, we're struggling defensively with the players we've got missing. I don't want to make that an excuse but frustrated because I couldn't be more delighted with the football we played and the application they showed but unfortunately, we were a bit naive in our defending at times. There's a difference in the quality at the top end of the pitch but up until then [when Kane scored his opening goal], we had kept him very quiet."
Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho: "I am so happy that no injuries are coming because it wouldn't be a surprise for me with the players who are playing almost every minute of every game. Twelve more days and finally they have a holiday and hopefully we manage to get a Europa League spot. It was the fourth match with two days in between and to manage to do 10 points in these four matches is what keeps us in the fight [for the Europa League]."
Newcastle travel to Brighton for Monday Night Football next, live on Sky Sports Premier League from 5.30pm; kick-off 6pm. They finish their season at home to champions Liverpool on Sunday July 26.
Tottenham host Leicester live on Sky Sports Premier League from 3.30pm on Sunday; kick-off 4pm. They then round off their Premier League campaign at Crystal Palace on Sunday July 26.
