Newcastle United took a huge stride towards qualifying for next season's Champions League after mauling closest rivals Tottenham at St James' Park. Eddie Howe's blitzed the beleaguered visitors, racing into a five-goal lead after just 21 minutes before going on to register a thumping 6-1 victory.
Braces from Jacob Murphy and Alexander Isak, along with strikes from Joelinton and substitute Callum Wilson has lifted Newcastle to third in the table, having played a game fewer than Tottenham. Here is a round-up of what the national media had to say after another statement victory for Eddie Howe's side.
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'Few were expecting it this soon'
Emlyn Begley wrote for BBC Sport: "As terrible as Spurs were, Newcastle were outstanding. Their midfield and front line were all brilliant in the first half. Their defenders might well have been too, if we had seen them actually do anything.
"If Newcastle win six of their last seven games, they will be back in the Champions League group stages for the first time since 2002-03. Realistically they won't have to win six times.
"When Newcastle were taken over by Saudi Arabian-based owners in £305m, the aim was for them to be in the Champions League. But few were expecting it this soon."
'Permanent shift in the balance of power'
Luke Edwards wrote for the Telegraph: "This was not just a victory for Newcastle United over a supposed top-four rival, it was an annihilation which may have destroyed Tottenham Hotspur’s pretension as one of English football’s major powers.
"This was shock-and-awe football from home team, direct and fast, ruthless and utterly destructive as they blew Spurs apart inside just 20 first-half minutes.
"The damage was so severe that it has not just ruined Tottenham’s chances of playing in the Champions League again next season, but could mark a permanent shift in the balance of power from North London to the North East of England."
'Changing of the guard'
Mark Douglas wrote for the i News: "The empty seats in the away end told their own story. The bedlam subsided slightly in the second half as Kane, one of few to emerge with credit, scored a consolation before his fellow England striker Callum Wilson scored with his first touch.
"The symbolism of this bruising win will be lost on no-one. A forlorn Stellini recalled that Tottenham had put five past Newcastle almost a year ago in his post-match press conference and this left no-one in any doubt that a changing of the guard is taking place."
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