Toon romp leaves Spurs third

Relegated Newcastle thrashed Tottenham 5-1 with 10 men to leave Spurs third in the Premier League, behind rivals Arsenal.

Georginio Wijnaldum put relegated Newcastle ahead on 19 minutes from inside the area, before Aleksandar Mitrovic’s fine header doubled their lead before half-time.

Erik Lamela halved the deficit from a tight angle just after the hour mark, and Newcastle were reduced to 10 men after Mitrovic dragged his boot down Kyle Walker’s shin with a quarter of the game remaining.

But shortly after the red card Newcastle were awarded a controversial penalty after Moussa Sissoko went down in the area from Christian Eriksen’s challenge, and Wijnaldum converted for his second and the hosts’ third.

Spurs then capitulated at St James’ Park, allowing the 10 men of Newcastle to score two more goals on the break through Rolando Aarons and then Daryl Janmaat.

The result means Arsenal, who beat Aston Villa 4-0, have finished above Tottenham for a 21st straight season in the Premier League.

Spurs made just one change from the side that lost 2-1 against Southampton last weekend, while Newcastle made three after their 0-0 draw with Aston Villa.

Manager Rafa Benitez’s name was sung by the home fans throughout the game, with the Spaniard due to make a decision on his future at the club in the next two weeks.

Benitez’s side were relegated in midweek following Sunderland’s win over Everton, and they started like a side without pressure on their …

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