39 mins Son Heung-Min's foul on Joe Willock gave United a free kick just outside the box. Fabian Schar beat the defensive wall, goalkeeper Hugh Lloris and a VAR check for a handball by team mate Chris Wood to net.

The scorer ran the length of the field to celebrate in front of the away support, one of whom let off a smoke bomb that soon dispersed. A bit of a damp squib then, which was to become a suitable metaphor for what followed. 1-0

43 mins A Spurs corner taken by Son on the left was reached by Burn but his awkward header back towards the corner flag reached Son via a combined deflection off Chris Wood and Eric Dier.

Son atoned for his earlier recklessness by providing a fine swinging cross for Ben Davies to glance home a header from six yards out. 1-1

Half time: Spurs 1 Newcastle 1

48 mins Schar's wayward pass from the right went straight to Dejan Kulusevski in the centre circle. He found Harry Kane who advanced to the right hand corner of the box before sending it over.

Although the unmarked Son looked to miss it right in front of goal, Matt Doherty was following in at the back post and stooped to beat Martin Dubravka; Javier Manquillo in attendance but unable to intervene. 1-2

54 mins Six straightforward passes took Spurs from their own six yard box to the opposite end of the field; the killer ball from Kane on halfway sending  Kulusevski scampering away down the right before playing in Son - who took a touch before passing the ball into the net. 1-3

63 mins A goal that appeared to be scored in slow motion: Son sweeping the ball out to the left wing from the edge of the area, Doherty taking Kulusevki's pass, finding space to cut back and dropping a cross into the near post area that scraped the studs of Emerson Royal before bouncing into the net. 1-4

83 mins A poor first touch from ASM just over halfway allowed Dier to assume possession and he nipped it forward to Son. He in turn slipped a pass to Lucas Moura, who played in Steven Bergwijn before Burn tugged him by the neck. The Spurs substitute wandered forward to stroke the ball home from almost on the penalty spot. 1-5

Full time: Spurs 5 Newcastle 1

Eddie Howe said:

"We contributed to that (scoreline).

"We were 1-0 up and executing a good plan. We were controlling them as best we could. We did the first part of the game well. The second goal is the key thing.

Antonio Conte said:

"This league is very difficult to try to be in the race for the Champions League. We want to stay there until the end. We have to try to continue to play this way with intensity, accuracy. My team is improving in many aspects.

"I’m very happy. I was happy before the international break. I said it was a pity we had to stop. I asked my players today to start in the same way we left. It was a good performance. Newcastle are a good team. They’ve changed totally now. Tactically they are very good. It wasn’t easy, we made the game easy.

"The first half we tried to be in control of the game. It was hard to find space. It was good to go 1-0 down because I’ve seen the right reaction of the players.

"In the past maybe when in difficulty you could lose your mind. Instead the team were very focused and a lot of positive things I’ve seen today.

"We know we have eight final games. Arsenal has a good advantage. We have to try to stay in the race and give our best, to make our fans happy. Our fans enjoy watching the team playing this way, scoring so many goals.

"At the end of the season not to regret. If we give everything, then we’ll see what we can reach.

"The space between games so we can work and not play every three days is helping us. When you come in during the season you have to prepare for game, game, game.

"To have more days to work with my players is helpful to us as I have more time to transfer my philosophies on football to my players. This is very important. We can improve. This performance and the last few performances have given us great confidence but in England this league is difficult.

"To play against us is difficult at the moment."

On Harry Kane:

"His performance was amazing.

"I said to him it was a shame he didn't score but he played in a fantastic way. To have a player like him in your team makes you strong. To know we have him in our side is very important because we he can score and create to chances.

"First of all I like the person. Some players with talent don't want to work hard. I have found a player who is a great man. He set the example from the very first day. This isn't normal because usually when you are top player you can work less, sometimes you are a bit lazy.

"He is a big example for his team mates. I have seen his desire to be competitive in every competition."