Toon boss won't point the finger, but I will...

WHEN the guns fell silent, the dust settled, and the light faded and dimmed over the battlefield it had boiled down to who managed to stay true to their reputation.

- JOHNGIBSON

Tottenham Hotspur arrived at our door with the exact opposite credentials to Newcastle - shocking at home, excellent away. While United had reeled off six successive victories before their faithful, Spurs were third top of the away form table (only one defeat in six) but second bottom at home (one win in seven).

Tottenham fans had been doubting Thomas (Frank), but relieved of the toxic atmosphere on home territory it was they who stayed true to nature whereas United failed to close out the game.

However, truth be told it was not about what they did but what we didn’t. The defending of hard-earned leads was pathetic. United showed as much discipline and resistance as a kite in a high wind.

They were all over the place.

This wasn’t the elite play of a Champions League side but the chaos of a Sunday morning kickabout. Eddie Howe, ever the diplomat, nevertheless accepted United’s frailty afterwards, admitting: “We are disappointed with the first goal, it was a standard cross and we haven't defended it well enough.

“The second one, we didn’t deal with the first contact then didn’t stop the overhead kick. It’s a painful one for us to take.”