Newcastle United obliterated Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur with five goals in the first 21 minutes en route to a 6-1 victory at glittering St James’ Park on Sunday.
The match billed as a crucial indicator in the race to secure Champions League qualification was effectively over 10 minutes before the clock ticked as fifth-placed Tottenham collapsed like a pack of cards.
Jacob Murphy got on the scoreboard in the second minute after Hugo Lloris blocked a Joelinton shot and four minutes later Joelinton converted Lloris for his side’s second goal.
Murphy then sealed the belt in Newcastle’s third from long range after Tottenham had gained possession and a sense of disbelief filled the field as Alexander Isaacs scored two clinical goals in the space of two minutes to make it 5-0.
It was the second closest a team has come to a five-goal lead in Premier League history after Manchester City scored five goals in the first 18 minutes against Watford in 2019.
Spurs improved after the break, although it was difficult not to do so, with Harry Kane scoring a consolation goal four minutes into the second half, but Callum Wilson scored Newcastle’s sixth per minute after coming off the bench.
insignificant