Tottenham...0 Newcastle Utd... 1: Those Newcastle fans who, for the fourth successive season, made the long trip to London in midweek, were rewarded last night with a scarce away victory after Jermaine Jenas's goal in the dying seconds took them to second in the table.
But Tottenham's concern at missing out on the chance to move closer towards their target of European qualification will have been tempered by a more pressing worry over their forward line. Their top scorer, Robbie Keane, lasted barely 10 minutes last night before he sank to the floor clutching his shin. While he gamely tried to continue, he was withdrawn shortly before the interval, possibly forcing his manager into emergency action.
Any concern over Keane's fitness would force Tottenham to make a late and desperate entry into the transfer market ahead of the window's closure tomorrow.
Their quest for Michael Ricketts may have failed but their search for a striker continues, scouts from the club having joined representatives of Manchester United in watching Germany's Miroslav Klose playing for Kaiserslautern at the weekend. He had a bad game in a 2-1 defeat at Stuttgart, and Spurs have not taken any further action.
Keane missed Tottenham's best chance running on to a looping, deflected through-ball but totally missed his volley from the edge of the area.
When Newcastle did stray forwards, Craig Bellamy was twice halted by Dean Richards's fine tackles.
It was Olivier Bernard, their left-back, who forced Kasey Keller into his first serious save, skipping past Anderton's ineffectual challenge and shooting low with his left foot from 25 yards.
The first half may not have delivered the goals but both sides could have scored within minutes of the restart.
Shay Given gifted them their first opportunity, hitting his clearance under little pressure into Andy O'Brien to give Gus Poyet a first sight of goal. The Uruguayan's first-time lob from 35 yards was on target, but the backtracking goalkeeper was able to tip over.
Bellamy secured the breakthrough Newcastle needed in the final minute, running through to shoot low. Keller scooped the ball away but his despairing lunge could not prevent Jenas from following up to win the game.
TOTTENHAM: Keller, Richards, Gardner, King, Carr, Davies, Poyet, Anderton, Bunjevcevic, Sheringham, Keane (Doherty 36). Subs Not Used: Sullivan, Taricco, Acimovic, Freund.
NEWCASTLE: Given, Bramble, O'Brien, Dabizas, Bernard, Kerr (Solano 61), Dyer, Jenas, Robert, Shearer, Bellamy. Subs Not Used: Elliott, Harper, LuaLua, Ameobi. Booked: Bernard. Goals: Jenas 90.
Referee: D Elleray (Middlesex).