Newcastle United fans have heeded a call to boycott this weekend's match with Spurs at St James' Park.

The protest started on social media as a means of the Toon Army showing their anger at the team's progress under the stewardship of owner Mike Ashley.

The official attendance was 47,427 some way below the ground's maximum capacity of 52,387.

The mood inside the ground darkened when a plane was seen overhead trailing a banner which read: "Sunderland five in a row' - a reference to Sunderland's 1-0 win over Newcastle earlier this month.

The Northern Echo:

Shortly after the plane was sighted, Chadli scored for Tottenham.

The Northern Echo:

 

St James Park shortly before kick-off

 

Newcastle lost the match 3-1. Spurs' Harry Kane scored in extra time, prompting a mass walk out by disgruntled fans who surely fear the worst.