Toon must take advantage of St. James' pomp

Tottenham's creative Croatian, Luka Modric, exemplified the playmaker that Newcastle are lacking. The clever midfielder exploited the space he was afforded by the Magpies all Sunday afternoon and almost made a telling contribution in the opening minutes when he played Darren Bent in behind the United defence, only to see the striker bundled to ground under the recovering Sebastien Bassong. Referee Mike Halsey waved away appeals for a foul, but had he chose to be pedantic and had a clearer view, United could easily have been reduced to ten men.

Yet, as is usually the case, Newcastle's luck soon ran out and the next time Modric attempted a telling through pass the ball broke kindly for Bent to score the decisive goal after 25 minutes. From a United corner, Spurs swiftly counter attacked and, despite his best efforts, a Bassong interception went straight to the Tottenham man in the Newcastle box. The strikers first attempt to finish was poor and Steve Harper did well to save, but the 'keeper could only parry straight back into the path of Bent who eventually slotted the ball into the net.

Going behind prompted Shearer to change the strategy and adjust to a 4-3-1-2, with Damien Duff moved to the inside left of midfield, Gutierrez given what must have been a free role behind the front two and Steven Taylor switched to left back. If the truth be told, the team looked worryingly disorganised and lost both its balance and shape.

The second half continued in similar vein to the first, with United having the better of possession but to little avail and Tottenham looking dangerous on the break. However, a double substitution involving Mark Viduka and Obafemi Martins on the hour had a positive impact on Newcastle who rediscovered their shape and looked a lot more threatening in the final third. Viduka showed his class and strength with some good link up play, while Martins stretched the Spurs backline with his pace in behind and perhaps could have done better when he blazed over the Magpies best chance of an equaliser late on.

Shearer will be desperate the pair are fit to play at least some part in the absolutely crucial encounter against Pompey. The wingback formation is likely to be ditched in favour of the attack minded 4-3-3 that worked so well under Kevin Keegan last season.

With the fixture moved to Monday night to accommodate television schedules, results over the weekend are likely to have a psychological effect on the players for better or worse. Ultimately, Newcastle's situation remains the same, they must win. Although, depending on results elsewhere, United could kick off against Portsmouth either four points adrift from safety or, at worst, seven.