WELL it wasn’t quite a repeat of last season’s 6-1 scoreline but it very well could have been. Actually, scratch that, Tottenham rarely looked like scoring the one.

Newcastle had to settle for just the four goals this time around but given the circumstances, this victory was more impressive than last season’s mauling.

Such is the scale of the injury crisis Eddie Howe is having to deal with, 10 players who were in the squad for last season’s fixture were unavailable for the re-run. With the defence decimated, Howe was forced to improvise and shifted to a back three, with Jacob Murphy and Elliot Anderson playing as wing-backs.

But the makeshift defence was rarely tested. It took 50 minutes for out of sorts Spurs to manage a shot on target. By that stage they were 2-0 down after Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon’s quickfire first half double. Just a minute after that tame Timo Werner shot from distance that was saved by Martin Dubravka, the Magpies had their third. Fabian Schar climbed high to wrap up the scoring late on, prompting the jubilant Geordies in the stands to mock Spurs: 'It's happening again,' they sang.

And the margin of victory could have been so much greater. Isak could have added at least a couple more to his brace which took him to 17 league goals for the season. Only Ollie Watkins and Erling Haaland have scored more. Four goals will do, though, and three more points taking the tally to 10 from the last 12 available. United – despite their lengthy list of absentees – have come into form at the right time. It’s a shame there’s now a 11-day wait until the trip to Crystal Palace, but it will at least give some of their injured stars chance to return.

Spurs had only lost two of 10 games prior to their trip to Tyneside but Ange Postecoglou’s side were dreadful. Captain Son was hooked on the hour mark. Perhaps Spurs are still haunted by last season’s thumping? They dominated territory and possession in the early stages but never recovered from Isak’s clinical opener. Man of the Match Gordon scored the second just 90 seconds later and shellshocked Spurs were fortunate they got to half-time trailing by just two.

For all the focus was understandably on Newcastle’s new-look backline, there was a first at the front, with Gordon, Isak and Harvey Barnes unleashed together for the first time this season. It’s a trio that will strike fear into opposition backlines.

The technical areas were animated. Spurs felt Dan Burn should have been booked for a foul on James Maddison, but Jason Tindall was quick to point out there was a similar offence committed moments earlier by the England international, who wasn't carded. There was no yellow for Burn.

Referee Tim Robinson finally reached for a yellow and cautioned Micky van de Ven. The defender might well have wished it was red, for it would have saved him the humiliation that soon followed. Twice in a couple of minutes he slipped inside the box and Newcastle took full advantage, first Isak cutting inside and coolly picking his spot and then Gordon following the Swede’s lead.

Spurs were stunned and rampant Newcastle sensed their opportunity. Isak twice had opportunities to extend the home side’s lead and another when Barnes picked him out with a perfectly weighted lofted pass.

Spurs finally tested Dubravka when Werner cut inside and fired straight at Newcastle’s keeper. Something to build on? Nothing of the sort. Within 60 seconds it was 3-0 and game over. It was another defensive horror show for the visitors, caught out by Bruno’s ball over the top for Isak, who never looked like missing.

Son was replaced and Maddison later hooked after a miserable showing against the side that courted him in the summer. He made his way off to jeers from the home fans; Jacob Murphy, on the other hand, deserved his standing ovation when he was replaced.

Newcastle very nearly had a fourth when Emil Krafth hit the post, then Gordon almost capped his terrific display with his second goal. From the resulting corner, Schar’s thumping header found the bottom corner.