Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.

A few weeks ago, it was anticipated that this fixture could prove equally important to both sides with Newcastle scrapping for survival and Spurs chasing Leicester City for the Premier League title but unfortunately for both clubs, their pursuit of their targets has already ended in disappointment. That said, victory for either side would be a welcome boost heading into the summer break and there's no doubt that this will be a competitive game of football.

As far as Spurs are concerned, they still have work to do to secure second position. Whether they are successful or not won't impact on their Champions League qualification for next season but they are eager to finish ahead of North London rivals Arsenal. Achieving such a feat would be just reward for what has been an excellent campaign for Mauricio Pochettino's men but with Arsenal hosting Aston Villa, the Argentine knows that they must register at least a point on Tyneside.

Despite their relegation, Newcastle will still want to finish in 18th position for the extra prize money on offer but victory over a team such as Spurs might be what it takes to convince Rafael Benitez to remain at the club for a season in the Championship. The Spaniard has never managed at that level but the supporters know that if he stays and earns an immediate return for the North-East giants, it could spark a turnaround in their fortunes.

Anyway, without further ado, let's take a look at the team news emerging from the changing rooms at St James' Park.

NEWCASTLE UNITED XI: Darlow, Janmaat, Taylor, Mbemba, Dummett, Tiote, Colback, Townsend, Sissoko, Wijnaldum, Mitrovic

NEWCASTLE UNITED SUBSTITUTES: Woodman, Sterry, Shelvey, De Jong, Aarons, Perez, Cisse

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI: Lloris, Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Dier, Mason; Lamela, Eriksen, Son; Kane

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR SUBSTITUTES: Vorm, Rose, Wimmer, Carroll, Chadli, Onomah, Clinton

Benitez has made three changes to his Newcastle starting lineup for today's match. Daryl Janmaat, Steven Taylor and Aleksandar Mitrovic have all been handed recalls to the side, with Vurnon Anita, Jamaal Lascelles, and Papiss Cisse the men to drop out. Lascelles would have been selected but he was sent home from training on Saturday due to illness.

Pochettino has decided to make just the one alteration to his team, with Ben Davies coming in for Danny Rose at left-back. Dele Alli and Mousa Dembele continue to serve the suspensions they have picked up in recent weeks.

As always, we have a wide selection of commentaries available to you from the Premier League this afternoon but if you want to keep up-to-date with all of the action in one place, our 'Premier League Final Day' coverage is where you want to be. Follow all the goals, cards and talking points by clicking here.

A few final words from Ayoze Perez. The forward has been linked with a move away during the summer so who knows, maybe this will be his farewell appearance at St James' Park.

IT'S MATCHDAY. Not the best end, but we owe a good performance to our fans. Thanks for your support ⚪⚫ pic.twitter.com/r9r7m5PPU4 — Ayoze Perez (@AyozePG) May 15, 2016

FORM! There may be 16 places between the two sides in the Premier League table but they cannot be separated in their most recent six fixtures. Both teams have two wins, three draws and one defeat to their name and currently occupy 10th and 11th spot in the form standings. Take a look at our Stat Centre for a whole host of info ahead of today's fixtures.

HEAD TO HEAD! Today's fixture represents the 156th time that these two sides have faced each other in a competitive match, with Spurs winning 66 times compared to 57 victories for the Magpies. It's been nine draws since there was a draw in this fixture, with Spurs winning five times to Newcastle's four triumphs. In fact, there have only been two draws in the last 33 games between these two sides. Odds on a stalemate this afternoon?

Before we take a look at Spurs, let's discuss where it has all gone wrong for Newcastle this season? The appointment of Steve McClaren raised a few eyebrows but he was given money to spend in the summer and they were expected to find themselves in mid-table at worst. However, the majority of the signings have not worked out, even in January with Henri Saviet and Seydou Doumbia barely being given any playing time at all. The club's home form has been respectable enough with 25 points coming from 18 games but Newcastle have generally been appalling on the road. Just two wins and 12 goals have come from 19 outings and their lack of confidence on their travels was evident when they struggle at Aston Villa last weekend. It's an area of their game that needs to improve for next season because they will not be able to succumb so easily when they are on the road in midweek in such an unforgiving league as the Championship.

If Mauricio Pochettino and Spurs were offered fourth position in the Premier League before the start of the season, they would have snapped your hand off so while Leicester City have rightly received most of the plaudits, Spurs also deserve credit for how they have remained above the other giants of the English game. Their performances, as well as Pochettino's use of English talent, has been refreshing and they can surely only build on their achievements this season. Second or third position still represents a successful season but there's an acknowledgement from everyone associated with the club that they cannot be overtaken by Arsenal this afternoon. The Gunners have held the bragging rights for much of the last 20 years so Spurs cannot afford to let it slip today. They were poor against Southampton last weekend but I think we can expect a strong showing this afternoon.

KEY MAN! Harry Kane will be dangerous for the visitors but Christian Eriksen has had a huge impact in the club's last three away games. The Danish playmaker has contributed four assists at Liverpool, Stoke City and Chelsea respectively and he will again be asked to pick the lock today.

PREDICTION! There's likely to be a passionate response from the Newcastle faithful in light of their relegation and we feel that will likely lead to a strong performance from their team. Spurs will always be a threat on the break, however, and this has all the makings of a excellent contest. A 2-2 draw.

BREAKING NEWS! The match between Manchester United and Bournemouth is facing a lengthy delay after Old Trafford was evacuated. A reason is yet to be given but keep your eyes peeled on Sports Mole for the latest.

The two teams are beginning to make their way out onto the pitch at St James' Park. We will be underway very shortly!

Spurs have got the game started in the North-East. The sun is out in Newcastle.

It's been a fast start from the visitors who have bossed possession and created an opportunity through Eriksen, but his long-range drive went high into the stands. As expected, there's lots of support for Benitez from the home fans.

SHOT! A long throw-in finds Kane who turns sharply from the attention of Mbemba to get his shot away but it goes several yards off target. Still nothing from the home team. They haven't been in the final third.

GOAL FLASH! Arsenal have taken the lead against Aston Villa through Olivier Giroud. If that result stays the same, Spurs need a result in the North-East.

BREAKING NEWS! Manchester United's game with Bournemouth has been abandoned due to a suspect package being found at Old Trafford. For all the latest, keep an eye put on our home page.

Back to this game and Newcastle have come back into it. Mitrovic is in the thick of the action and after seeing a header go wide, he almost got in to slide a low ball sent across the six-yard box. Good start from both sides. Competitive as expected.

There's a willingness from Spurs to take their time spraying the ball along their backline before launching an attack. Mitrovic is having to do a lot of chasing which should limit his impact later in the match. Spurs haven't done much since that earlier Kane effort though.

It has to be said, it's a terrific atmosphere inside St James' Park. Will it be enough to persuade Benitez to remain at the club? Newcastle certainly hope so! Sissoko just did brilliantly to deceive Walker on the left flank but his shot was ambitious to say the least and was easily blocked.

Newcastle have been building some momentum over the past 10 minutes and they are rewarded with a terrific team goal. The ball is delivered into the box where Mitrovic gets a flick to Sissoko at the back post. The Frenchman returns the ball to the striker who lays it off for Wijnaldum to place the ball into the bottom corner from 10 yards. St James' Park is rocking! As it stands, Spurs are slipping into third place...

Spurs have responded well to going behind but they are struggling to create anything clear-cut. A corner was won on the left side but it was easily dealt with by Newcastle.

Kane is starting to cut a frustrated figure. More patient buildup from the visitors ended with an attempt through ball to the forward but he was caught offside. There's not enough urgency in Spurs' play and Newcastle are coping comfortably enough right now.

More of the same from Pochettino's men and the same end result. Plenty of possession ends with Dier crossing towards the back post on a deep position but it is over-hit and out for a goal kick. Newcastle are doing an effective job in getting men behind the ball and it is making life difficult for Spurs.

Half an hour has passed at St James' Park and despite early promise, this hasn't developed into the classic we had hoped. Mitrovic just received the ball on the edge of the area but while his shot found the target, it was straight at Lloris.

Some direct work from Sissoko earns Newcastle their first corner of the match, which will be delivered by Townsend. It's an excellent cross but Kane rises above everyone to head clear.

SHOT! It's a sign that a team is getting frustrated by the amount of long-range efforts that they attempt, and Walker has just tried his luck from all of 40 yards. You can guess where it endeded up. Less than 10 minutes to go until half time and Newcastle will be delighted with how things have transpired so far.

This is turning into a disaster for Spurs! It's another excellent Newcastle goal, however, and Benitez will be loving what he is seeing. Townsend played the ball out to Sissoko on the right flank and the Frenchman's cross found Mitrovic, who sent a bullet header into the corner.

The Rafael Benitez song is being sung by the home faithful. If Newcastle run out winners in convincing fashion, it's going to be hard for the former Liverpool boss to turn down the opportunity to remain at the club.

CHANCE! Darlow is finally called into action in the Newcastle goal. Kane feeds the ball to Eriksen on the right-hand side of the penalty area and although Darlow was expected to make the stop, he still has to get a strong hand behind the ball. There will be two minutes of added-on time.

The half-time whistle goes at St James' Park and Newcastle are in full control against runner-up-chasing Spurs. Goals from Wijnaldum and Mitrovic have given the Magpies a commanding lead and Spurs must surely return for the second half on the front foot if they are to gain the point they require for second spot.

We are almost ready for the restart at St James' Park. What can Spurs do to get back into this game?

Newcastle have got the game back underway. There are two changes for Spurs - Tom Carroll and Joshua Onomah for Mason and Son.

If Newcastle had played like this all season, they would be challenging for Europe. They have really been easy on the eye and another neat move almost ends with a third goal before Spurs get the ball clear. Mitrovic and Townsend are involved in every move that materialises - they are going to be hugely important figures at the second tier.

The changes haven't worked for Spurs so far. It's more of the same from Newcastle and Benitez looks to have really hammered home the importance of securing a result this afternoon.

Better from Spurs, who work the ball in and around the penalty area before Dier hits a first-time effort from 20 yards but his shot is deflected wide for a corner. He is claiming handball but the referee waved his appeals away.

Kane wins a free kick on the edge of the penalty area and Eriksen takes responsibility for the set piece. It's the perfect position for the playmaker but his shot goes straight into the face of Mitrovic. He's going to require a moment to get back to his feet.

Spurs have improved considerably over the past five minutes. Davies was released down the left flank but although his cross found Lamela, his shot was half-blocked and it took the pace off the attempt before being claimed by Darlow.

It had been coming. The angle didn't favour Lamela when he was played in down the left-hand side of the penalty area but his venomous strike was too hot to handle for Darlow and he could only palm the ball into the roof of the net. Game on at St James' Park!

Mitrovic is playing this game very close to the edge. His passion will be commended but he has just gotten himself involved in a staring contest with the referee, who didn't look very amused.

SHOT! Onomah is the next man for Spurs to get a shot away but after cutting inside onto his left foot, his shot is tame and straight at Darlow.

RED CARD! I just mentioned that Mitrovic was running close to the edge and now he has gone over it. We have seen some bad challenges this season but this is one of the worst of the lot. Mitrovic has gone studs first into Walker's shin and the full-back is very, VERY fortunate not to have broken his leg. It's a shocker.

SUBSTITUTION! Kyle Walker has been substituted but it is not down to injury, it's a sign that Pochettino is going to throw men forward. Nacer Chadli is on in his place and he has just under 20 minutes plus added-on time to find a goal for his side.

Looks a blatant dive from Sissoko but Newcastle have a penalty...

Newcastle regain their two-goal lead! Sissoko took the direct approach from the left flank before going down after attention from Vertonghen. There appears to be no contact but Wijaldum capitalises on the opportunity by sending Lloris the wrong way.

It's going to be difficult for Spurs to come back from that. Their best hope of second place seems to lie with Aston Villa equalising at the Emirates Stadium. They currently trail Arsenal 1-0.

Scratch that - Arsenal are now 3-0 up. Olivier Giroud has netted a hat-trick. Game over at the Emirates.

Newcastle may be down to 10 men but they are pressing forward in numbers for a fourth goal. Moments after Townsend had a strike saved by Lloris, Sissoko had the opportunity to beat the Spurs stopper but his effort flew just wide of the target.

Did Mitrovic really go off when he was dismissed because Newcastle are dominating here! Sissoko was played in one-on-one with Lloris but again, the goalkeeper made the intervention.

What is going on?! Newcastle are running rampant at St James' Park! Substitute Rolando Aarons nets a fourth with a shot into the top corner after Townsend had struck the post before Aarons turned provider to set up Janmaat to net a fifth. UNBELIEVABLE!

There will be three minutes of added-on time.

Newcastle United will play in the Championship next season but if they play like this, they won't be there for long! This has been an astonishing performance from the Magpies and surely Rafael Benitez will stay after this result!

That will be all from Sports Mole for this match but please stick around for all of the results and reaction that is coming your way over the next hour or so. Goodbye for now.