Jermain Defoe's predatory instincts provided Spurs with a win over Newcastle that could be the springboard for a late Uefa Cup challenge. Defoe reacted to cash in on Newcastle keeper Steve Harper's error when he slammed a clearance into Simon Davies.

A similar howler from England keeper Paul Robinson presented James Milner with a chance to level but he chipped wide of the unguarded goal.

Newcastle rarely looked like finding a route through Spurs' tight defence.

Harper, deputising for hip-injury victim Shay Given, almost embarrassed himself in the opening minutes when he miskicked Nicky Butt's back-pass and watched horror-struck as the ball spun wide of the goal.

Space was at a premium as both sides squeezed up, and that combined with a frenetic pace meant there was little scope for playmakers such as Michael Carrick or Jermaine Jenas to put their foot on the ball.

Spurs tried to go wide to find elusive space and Andy Reid whipped in a cross which Frederic Kanoute was a whisker away from making contact with.

Newcastle's high line also made it diffcult for Spurs to release Defoe's pace but on the one first-half occasion he did break free, Harper was out of the blocks to beat him to Reid's pass.

Shola Ameobi went closest for Newcastle, climbing high to meet Jenas's cross only to piledrive his header into the ground and the ball bounced over the bar.

It needed something special or farcical to open the game up, and unfortunately for Harper it was the latter.

His clearance from a routine Celestine Babayaro backpass struck Simon Davies and Defoe - alone but played onside by Babayaro dwelling near the corner flag - reacted sharply to stab home his 13th Premiership goal of the season.

Newcastle boss Graeme Souness replaced Alan Shearer with Milner at half-time, although as the former England striker moodily sat on the bench his body language was not that of somebody supposedly substituted to safeguard a tight calf.

Without Shearer, Newcastle lost the focal point of their attacks but Milner was gifted a chance by a howler from Robinson even worse than Harper's error.

Ledley King had his back turned when the England keeper casually knocked a pass to him and, although Milner intercepted, he chipped wide of the unguarded goal.

Robbie Keane was given a rousing reception by Spurs' supporters as he made a late appearance from the substitute's bench.