Tottenham 2-3 Newcastle

2Slick

Obafemi Martins scored a stunning goal as he inspired Newcastle to come from behind and win impressively at Spurs.

Martins struck with a truly sensational 20-yard left-foot shot to make it 2-2 and then played a fine pass in to Nicky Butt to slot home the winner.

Spurs had taken the lead after a host of Shay Given saves, Jermain Defoe converting Steed Malbranque's pass.

Paul Huntington equalised by rifling in and then Dimitar Berbatov volleyed home for Spurs before Martins' magic won it.

It was harsh on Spurs who had had the better of most of the game, but they were unlucky to find Given in such fine form.

At the start Newcastle were having to hang on, as Spurs piled forward.

Given brilliantly denied Defoe who ran clean through and then after Defoe blasted another shot over, Berbatov shot straight at the keeper.

After Given saved again from Malbranque, Spurs finally went ahead. Malbranque sped into the box down the left and clipped in Defoe - in a suspiciously offside-looking position - to convert from close range.

But the goal woke Newcastle out of their slumber and from their first attack, they levelled matters.

James Milner curled over a free-kick and after Huntington's first header was blocked, he lashed in the rebound through the legs of Paul Robinson.

As the half-time whistle blew, suddenly it all kicked off.

The melee at half-time led to bookings for Chimbonda and Butt
The melee at half-time led to bookings for Chimbonda and Butt

Given was furious with Berbatov for raising his leg while he was trying to take a goal kick, before Pascal Chimbonda and Butt were involved in a scuffle in the centre-circle.

Butt was booked for his shove, while Chimbonda was extremely fortunate to get away with just a yellow card for slapping the Magpies' midfielder in the face.

Nine minutes after the break, Chimbonda played a massive part in Spurs retaking the lead.

He made a superb run down the right to meet Malbranque's clever pass and after Teemu Tainio's shot was blocked by Nolberto Solano, Berbatov volleyed into the floor and into the net.

Just as in the ealry stages, Spurs began to dominate proceedings as they sought the goal that would kill the game off.

But as the hosts seemed to have the match in their grasp, two breathtaking strikes in the space of 94 seconds turned the game on its head.

First, Martins scored a goal that will live long in the memory. He played a one-two and ran at Michael Dawson on the left edge of the box, suddenly letting fly with the most outrageous left-foot thunderbolt that screamed into the top corner.

Spurs were stunned, but Martins was not finished. Moments later he played a gorgeous through ball for Butt to superbly angle a shot across Robinson and into the net.

Defoe still had time to smash a shot against the post from 18 yards but Newcastle held on for a remarkable victory.

Tottenham: Robinson, Chimbonda, Lee, Dawson, Davenport (Ghaly 88), Lennon, Huddlestone, Tainio (Zokora 79), Malbranque (Keane 75), Defoe, Berbatov.
Subs Not Used: Cerny, Gardner.

Booked: Chimbonda.

Goals: Defoe 14, Berbatov 54.

Newcastle: Given, Ramage, Taylor, Huntington, Pattison, Solano, Butt, Milner, Dyer, Martins, Sibierski.
Subs Not Used: Harper, Edgar, O'Brien, Carroll, Troisi.

Booked: Ramage, Solano, Butt, Huntington.

Goals: Huntington 16, Martins 72, Butt 73.

Att: 35,942.

Ref: S Bennett (Kent).