Magpies' victory at high price

Alan Shearer and Gary Speed, who manager Robson regards as perfect role models for his fledgling Magpies, led by example with goals of unequivocal quality at St. James' Park.

But Speed was one of three midfield casualties as he joined Kieron Dyer and Nolberto Solano on an injury list that threatens to undermine United's push for a return to Europe next season.

They are now only three points behind title-chasers Chelsea and Manchester United with a game in hand, but holding on to their coat-tails without the likes of hernia-victim Speed will provide Robson's men with a stern test of their resolve.

Speed had quickly erased the memory of his Boxing Day blunder at Bolton, where his appalling backpass set up Michael Ricketts to grab the home side's final goal in their 4-3 victory.

Andy O'Brien jumped with Spurs midfielder Goran Bunjevcevic for Laurent Robert's long throw-in from the left touchline, and the ball fell to Speed who drilled in a crisp right-foot shot at the near post for his third goal of the season.

That was after 17 minutes, but only six minutes later his game was over when Jermaine Jenas took his place.

Skipper Shearer, on his 250th Newcastle appearance and 550th career start at club level, doubled his side's lead near the hour-mark.

Again, a throw from Robert set the move in motion. Craig Bellamy took delivery and surged into the box to check and conjure a cunning chip to the far post where Shearer's downward header brought him his 15th goal of the season.

Substitute Lomana LuaLua almost put the issue beyond all doubt when he raced clear down the right four minutes later but saw his fierce 15-yard finish clip the near post.

Newcastle still appeared to be cruising until a calamitous own goal by Nikos Dabizas in the 73rd minute gave Glenn Hoddle's Spurs unexpected hope.

Teddy Sheringham, part of a double substitution by Hoddle five minutes earlier which also brought former United favourite Les Ferdinand on for what is likely to be his Spurs farewell, swung in a dangerous right-wing cross.

And it was a Greek tragedy for centre-back Dabizas as he executed a textbook diving header past a bemused Shay Given.

Shearer should have eased Newcastle's anxiety 13 minutes from time when LuaLua knocked an inviting ball in from the left.

But with the goal at his mercy, Shearer sent his right-foot drive wide of the far post.

Strike partner Bellamy had been restored to the line-up after Robson had acceded to the Welshman's demand to be rested for the 4-3 defeat at Bolton.

And Bellamy was eager to show that the breather had done his troublesome knee the power of good.

Only five minutes had elapsed yesterday before he cut in from the left to beat Ledley King and produce a snap-shot which was too straight to test 'keeper Kasey Keller.

But after Gustavo Poyet's astute through-ball released Robbie Keane to beat O'Brien and force a near-post block from Given, Bellamy latched on to King's lax back-header and fired only inches wide of Keller's left-hand upright.

King's nightmare continued as Solano found Aaron Hughes, who cleverly lifted the ball over the Tottenham centre-back and brought a crucial save from Keller.

From the resulting corner, Shearer was presented with a shooting chance, but Mauricio Taricco applied a vital touch to divert the ball away.

A frantic scramble ensued in the United goalmouth as Spurs launched a concerted effort to draw level.

But when United broke out of defence, Robert led the charge with a probing run which ended in bitter disappointment as the greedy Frenchman lost possession with teammates either side of him.

And the best placed of them, a furious Bellamy, left Robert in no doubt about his feelings.

Argentinian Taricco then forced a fine flying save from Given with a wicked 25-yard drive, before whipping in a left-wing cross for Poyet which brought an even better stop from the keeper.

Taricco and Solano were at the centre of a worrying collision of heads six minutes before half-time. Solano was knocked cold and physio Paul Ferris had to act swiftly to make sure the Peruvian hadn't swallowed his tongue.

Andy Griffin had been forced to carry the can for United's Boxing Day debacle, as Robson brought back Olivier Bernard after the Frenchman's three-game lay-off with a knee injury.

Hughes, whose man-marking job failed to stop Poyet from scoring when Spurs won 2-0 here last season, was only required to switch from left to right-back on this occasion to accommodate Bernard's return.

But by half-time, Hughes found himself deployed in midfield as injuries took their toll. The Northern Ireland international stepped up to fill in for Dyer, whose game was cut short by a calf strain, and Dabizas came on to take over Hughes's defensive duties.

With Solano concussed, LuaLua was introduced on the right flank and his pace soon unsettled the Spurs rearguard.

It was Shearer, as ever, who posed the major threat, heading narrowly wide from Robert's left-wing corner in the opening minute of the second period.

But Shearer was head and shoulders above the rest when he made amends with the goal that, in the final analysis, was enough to end Spurs' unbeaten six-match Premiership run.

Result: Newcastle United 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1.