Tottenham Hotspur did their chances of Champions League football little harm on Sunday evening as they swept Newcastle United aside 5-1 in north London. Fabian Schar had given the visitors the lead before the break with a deflected free-kick but saw Ben Davies cancel out his strike soon after.
Antonio Conte ’s men were then relentless after the break as Matt Doherty and Son Heung-Min found the net before Emerson Royal opened his goal-scoring account for the club. Steven Bergwijn had enough time after coming off the bench to also get in on the act as Spurs rounded off an eye-catching win.
Whilst the win will satisfy, surely the biggest victory from the day is Spurs moving into the top four of the Premier League for the first time under Conte - heaping pressure on north London rivals Arsenal against Crystal Palace on Monday.
Here is how the national media saw the clash at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and indeed their verdict on the race for Champions League football.
READ MORE: Antonio Conte reveals what he said to Harry Kane after Tottenham's emphatic win over Newcastle
THE GUARDIAN
Tottenham needed to win this game and did so in a manner that suggests the battle for fourth place, or better, is nowhere near cut and dried. They enter the Champions League places, at least until Arsenal visit Crystal Palace on Monday night, and left the pitch smacking of a team that is discovering momentum at the right time.
When Fabian Schär gave Newcastle, who looked compact and competent until half‑time, the lead there was no suggestion Spurs would subsequently blow them away; Antonio Conte’s players were irresistible in the second period, though, and made a mockery of early concerns about the team’s shape.
MAIL ONLINE
With 10 minutes of this game remaining, they sang Antonio Conte’s name and, just as they did so, Tottenham scored their fifth goal.
This is the thing about Conte. When it comes to the football, he is a heck of a coach. On days like this, the Italian’s teams reflect the more endearing sides of his personality. Brave, purposeful and creative. And exciting, too. Yes, Spurs were exciting here and on the back of it they are in the top four of the Premier League.
Whatever happens from here is anybody’s guess. As well as being a talented coach, Conte is explosive, temperamental and moody. When he doesn’t get what he wants, as he says he did not in the January transfer window, he complains. A lot.
So Tottenham’s current status does not lack intrigue or uncertainty. It is hard to say for sure that Conte will still be at the club come next season. Some feel he is destined for PSG.
But for now they will take afternoons like this, days when Tottenham play football true to their glamorous traditions and the goals fly in.
THE TELEGRAPH
This was a different sort of Tottenham Hotspur and if you like your teams, snarling, confrontational and aggressive, it was a beautifully brutal performance that will send a shiver of fear through their rivals.
Spurs were made to fight, flexed their muscles and won. Punched on the nose by Newcastle, who took the lead, they got the scent of blood in their nostrils and went in for the kill.
Tottenham tore the Magpies apart after falling behind, inspired once again by another attacking masterclass from Harry Kane.
In fact, Tottenham did not just win, they trampled all over Eddie Howe’s side, turning a contest that was evenly balanced into a rout. Spurs pummelled the visitors into submission, with Kane landing so many of the heaviest blows.
THE SUN
You can see why Antonio Conte now believes in miracles. The Italian said on Friday that after initially being unconvinced, he is now of the mind that Tottenham can achieve the “miracle” of a top-four finish.
And after witnessing his side wipe the floor with Newcastle - despite going a goal behind - it is clear why he has been won over.
Fabian Schar’s free-kick on 39 minutes had threatened to derail their Champions League dream. But it only spurred Conte’s men on as they hit back with four goals in 20 minutes, three of which came from defenders.
Ben Davies headed home the equaliser just before the break and Matt Doherty nodded Tottenham in front just after it. Son Heung-Min put the result beyond doubt soon after with a clinical finish, before Emerson Royal hooked home Doherty’s cross to make it four.
Steven Bergwijn got in on the act off the bench to make it a rout. Conte celebrated in typically barmy style for all of his side’s goals, knowing just how important they were to achieving their top-four ambition. Crucially, the impressive result lifted Tottenham into fourth place on goal difference over arch-rivals Arsenal.
