Tottenham 1 – 4 Newcastle

Considering Tottenham’s success in the Carling Cup, it was easy to assume they were doing better than their 11th place standing would indicate. Spurs have been treading water since their Cup success, though, and that was no more evident than with the pasting they took from a recently beleaguered Newcastle United side.

The Magpies looked resurgent in their three-goal victory over Juande Ramos’ North London side. Though Kevin Keegan’s Geordies were down early — Spurs’ Darren Bent hit home a looping header in the 26th minute — the stalwart Nicky Butt brought his team level just before the half. Butt’s equalizer was just the tonic for the Mags, who heading into half-time level instead of a goal down. Had they trailed to start the second half, the fragile NUFC psyche may not have been able to fight back — as has been their downfall through most of the season. Instead, they roared back onto the pitch and buried their opponents. King Kev indeed. The past few games, his Newcastle United have been a different team than that coached by Glenn Roeder or Sam Allardyce.

Chelsea 1 – 0 Middlesbrough

Chelsea continued their challenge for the title while Middlesbrough treaded water in the bottom half of the table.

Roman Abramovich’s side are a far cry from the Pensioners of old, and not a single Chelsea supporter should be singing the blues since their club returned to prominence and has a legitimate shot to nick the title away from Manchester United.

Ricardo Carvalho opened Chelsea’s account and his deposit was all the Blues needed to top their northeastern opponents. Gareth Southgate’s Boro side looks to be safe, but their quality remains merely middle-of-the-table, an affliction held by neighbors Newcastle and — in this campaign, at least — Sunderland.