After going 14 games without losing a league game, Tottenham Hotspur have finally been defeated, going down 2-1 at home to Newcastle United on Sunday afternoon.
Things were seemingly going to continue in the same vein that they had during previous matches for Spurs, as Eric Dier headed them a goal up in the first half, converting from Christian Eriksen's corner.
However, Steve McClaren's men hit back with a late double salvo, as Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ayoze Perez came on as substitutes to win the game for Newcastle, scoring a goal apiece.
Spurs cap off strong first half with opening goal
Tottenham were the team in form, and looked like it as they dominated early proceedings, forcing Newcastle 'keeper Rob Elliot into a number of saves.
Erik Lamela went close, testing Elliot with a strong left footed effort that looked like it was flying into the corner, before the 'keeper clawed it away with an outstretched palm. The same man tested him once more a minute later, running onto Harry Kane's flick, only for Elliot to flick his poked effort over the bar.
However, he wasn't able to keep Spurs out from the following corner, as Dier headed in to make it 1-0 five minutes before the interval. Meeting Eriksen's inswinging corner at the near post, Dier headed towards goal, and Elliot could only push the ball into the net as he tried desperately to make yet another save.
Spurs fail to gain momentum following Dier's goal
The home fans were hoping that they'd see a couple more goals in the second half, and they did, just not at the end they were hoping.
Spurs didn't take charge of the game in the way you'd expect them to after scoring, and slowly let the visitors gain momentum as they seeked a comeback. You wouldn't have thought Newcastle were too fussed about getting back into the game at first, as Papiss Cisse rolled a poor effort wide, and others missed chances to test Hugo Lloris.
McClaren felt the need to intervene on the touchline, and hooked Cisse in favour of Mitrovic, with the striker paying him back in the best way possible.
Late double hands Toon all three points
Giving away a free-kick in a dangerous area, the Tottenham defence failed to clear properly from Vurnon Anita's downwards header, and Mitrovic was on hand to force the ball in from the closest of ranges.
Newcastle finally then took advantage of their momentum, with Spurs labouring. Toby Alderweireld had to be on his toes to prevent Mitrovic connecting with a cross at the back post, whilst the target man was inches away from connecting with Moussa Sissoko's cross in the last minute of normal time.
It didn't matter though, as Mitrovic turned creator soon after to set up what proved to be the winning goal. Flicking the ball on to Perez, the Spaniard still had much to do from a tight angle, but brilliantly squeezed the ball under Lloris to make it 2-1.
The defeat saw Spurs miss out on a chance to move up to fourth place in the league, and they remain fifth with 26 points from 16 games, ahead of an away game against Southampton next week.
