Miguel Almiron lifts Newcastle United into the top four

Newcastle United climbed into a Champions League place in the Premier League after a richly deserved 2-1 win against Tottenham Hotspur.

The Magpies were full value for the win but at times found themselves under the cosh - although their much heralded defensive solidity saw them through.

First-half goals from Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron sent Newcastle into the Premier League’s top four with a superb 2-1 win at Tottenham on Sunday.

It was arguably the Magpies’ best result under Eddie Howe, with this victory making it four wins in five games for the northeast club, which ultimately holds long-term aspirations of being Champions League regulars.

This statement win consigned Spurs to back-to-back defeats and occurred amid some controversy, with the hosts unhappy no foul was awarded against Wilson, who collided with Hugo Lloris in the buildup to his 31st-minute opener.

Almiron added a second for the visitors nine minutes later and, while Harry Kane pulled one back early in the second half, Newcastle held on to leapfrog Chelsea and Manchester United into fourth in the standings.

Both clubs experienced contrasting midweek results and the hosts’ hopes of bouncing back from defeat at Old Trafford was not helped by the absences of Cristian Romero and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg due to minor injuries.