Newcastle v Tottenham

[bandini]

Newcastle are handed a swift chance to bounce back from their Carling Cup disappointment with a home clash against Tottenham.

Click here to vote on the outcome of the game.

The Magpies succumbed to a Didier Drogba stunner on Wednesday, while on the same evening Tottenham edged out Southend to move into the last four.

Both sides have found form in the league in recent weeks and while Newcastle have edged away from the drop zone with a run of four wins out of five, it is conceivable that Spurs could find themselves in the top four on Christmas Day.

There are unlikely to be many people marking an X next to this fixture on the coupon, as none of the last 14 meetings between Spurs and Newcastle in the Premiership have ended as draws.

Glenn Roeder has a congested treatment room and is likely to leave it late before finalising his team selection.

Kieron Dyer put in a 90-minute stint against Chelsea in midweek and Roeder is sure to be mindful of pushing the midfielder too hard.

Titus Bramble and Craig Moore remain long-term casualties, meaning Peter Ramage and Steven Taylor are set to extend their central-defensive partnership.

Nolberto Solano returned from injury with another fine effort at right-back, while Paul Huntington is set to continue on the other flank.

Obafemi Martins has caught fire in recent weeks and he could be partnered up front by Antoine Sibierski.

Newcastle have failed to score in four of the last five meetings with Tottenham and Spurs chief Martin Jol will look for the returning Ledley King to marshal the defence and keep that run going.

Hossam Ghaly has shaken off a thigh complaint and Didier Zokora is available after a ban, but Robbie Keane is sidelined and an ankle complaint rules Jermaine Jenas out of the chance to take on his former paymasters.

Skysports.com Prediction: 2-1
Newcastle to bounce back with a win.

Player to watch: Emre

source: home.skysports.com

[Oliver_Kahn]

Tough match for Tottenham.

You'll need 'luck' to win this one

[bandini]

This actually will be a really tough one also they will be tired from a long match in mid week. Berbatov needs to score to get his lucky streak back

[kennethlindheim]

What's the problable lineup for Spurs today?

[Oliver_Kahn]

Newcastle U. 3 - 1 Tottenham H.

3' [1 - 0] K. Dyer
7' [2 - 0] O. Martins
15' [2 - 1] D. Murphy
34' [3 - 1] S. Parker


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Newcastle bounced back from their midweek defeat to Chelsea in the Carling Cup with a comfortable home victory over Tottenham.

Spurs came into the game on the back of a Carling Cup success against Southend, but they started like a side who were feeling the effects of extra-time as they were caught cold.

Goals by Kieron Dyer and Obafemi Martins handed Newcastle a cushion and although an own goal from Steven Taylor reduced the arrears, a scrappy third from Scott Parker secured victory for The Magpies.

It is little over seven weeks since Newcastle were booed off after slipping to defeat to Sheffield United, but they have not looked back since their season reached its nadir against The Blades and talk is now centering on a push for Europe rather than a scrap against relegation.

Newcastle made a bright start and were rewarded with the opening goal after just three minutes. Taylor blocked a header from Steed Malbranque and The Magpies broke at lightning pace, with Martins playing in Dyer and he ran at Ledley King before curling a low shot into the corner with his right foot from 20 yards.

Spurs were still licking their wounds when Newcastle doubled their advantage, but the goal was a shade fortuitous.

Martins headed beyond Paul Robinson from six yards, but Scott Parker, who picked out the Nigerian with a neat cross, appeared to be in an offside position when collecting a pass from James Milner.

The second goal appeared to sting Spurs into action and Dimitar Berbatov beat the offside trap, but was unable to divert his shot on target after Shay Given came out to narrow the angle.

The right-hand side was a productive area for Spurs and a cross from the flank by Pascal Chimbonda handed them the chance to cut the arrears, although there was a touch of fortune to the goal as Murphy's volley appeared to be drifting wide when it hit Taylor in the face and spun into the goal.

The open nature of the game continued throughout the opening half and Nicky Butt was unfortunate to see his goal-bound header hit team-mate Dyer six yards from goal, while Tom Huddlestone failed to repeat the fine goal he scored against Manchester City when scuffing his shot from 15 yards.

Dyer has been a revelation since returning from injury and he made a mug of Huddlestone inside the box before slamming a shot against the outside of the post.

Newcastle were rewarded with a third before the interval as Parker headed home from close range following a goal-mouth scramble which ensued after Robinson spilled a free-kick from Milner.

Spurs were given a chance to claim a foothold in the game just after the restart but, as in the first half, Berbatov shot wide after being set free down the middle.

The visitors cranked up the pressure in the first 15 minutes after the break, but they failed to take advantage of the chances that fell their way.

Michael Dawson stabbed wide following a poor clearance from Paul Huntington, while Hossam Ghaly lashed wide from the edge of the box - again following some nervous defending from Newcastle.

The home side seemed content to play on the break and protect their advantage, which saw them limited as an attacking force in the final 25 minutes with a fine shot on the turn from Martins their best opening, but Spurs were well short of their best and rarely tested Given as Newcastle claimed victory in comfortable fashion.

The biggest cheer of the game was reserved for the dying moments, as Pavel Srnicek replaced Given as the veteran made a playing return for his former club.

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[EG7]

Dyer seems to have finaly hit some form! After all these years of not fulfilling his potentiel.