Tottenham Hotspur have missed out on finishing runners-up to champions Leicester City after succumbing to a 5-1 defeat at the hands of an inspired Newcastle United.
The Magpies had Aleksandar Mitrovic dismissed during the second half but they netted three goals in the final 20 minutes to earn a result that can only help their chances of retaining the services of Rafael Benitez for another season.
© AFP
Spurs went into the fixture knowing that a point would be enough to secure second place in the table, and they started positively in the North-East with Christian Eriksen sending an early effort over the crossbar.
However, it did not take Newcastle long to get into the game and shortly after a header from Mitrovic had missed the target, the home side went in front through Georginio Wijnaldum, who guided the ball into the corner from 10 yards after good work from Mitrovic and Moussa Sissoko.
Spurs responded well to going behind but they were struggling to create anything clear-cut in front of goal and with six minutes to go before the break, Newcastle capitalised through Mitrovic.
Andros Townsend, playing against his former club for the first time, teed up Sissoko who crossed for Mitrovic in the penalty area and the Serbian's header left Hugo Lloris with no chance as the ball found the bottom corner.
Just before half time, Harry Kane played in Eriksen down the right-hand side of the penalty area but his near-post effort was dealt with by goalkeeper Karl Darlow.
Mauricio Pochettino made two changes at the break, bringing on Tom Carroll and Joshua Onomah, and the alterations had the desired effect as Spurs ploughed forward, with Erik Lamela having a close-range effort easily saved.
However, the Argentine halved the deficit soon after the hour mark with a fiercely-struck shot from an acute angle that found the roof of the net via the hand of Darlow, who could perhaps have done more to keep the ball out.
Newcastle were dealt a further blow when Mitrovic was red-carded for a crude challenge on Kyle Walker, who was fortunate not to break his leg after the striker's studs slid down his shin, but moments after his dismissal, his team found a third goal from the penalty spot.
It was a harsh decision with Vertonghen making very little contact with Sissoko, but Wijnaldum made no mistake from 12 yards as he sent Lloris the wrong way.
The scoring was not over for the home side, who were completely dominant against a Spurs outfit becoming increasingly frustrated, and Rolando Aarons netted a fourth with a shot into the top corner after Townsend had previously struck the post.
Two minutes later, Daryl Janmaat made it five by steering an effort past Lloris, who had done well to keep the score down throughout the contest, and his side were left in shock as they missed out on second place to North London rivals Arsenal, who once again finished above the Lilywhites in the standings.
Darren Plant
