Ex-Tottenham Hotspur striker and BBC pundit Garth Crooks has backtracked on his Newcastle United top-four prediction after the Magpies blew his former club out of the water. Eddie Howe's side turned in one of their performances of the season to thrash Spurs 6-1 with an emphatic five goals inside the opening 21 minutes at St. James' Park.
The result sees the Magpies move six-points clear of Spurs - who have since parted company with Interim boss Cristian Stellini - and still boast a game in hand on the North London club. Crooks now believes the Toon are 'going places' despite only claiming they weren't ready for the Champions League following a 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa a week ago.
"This was an impressive performance by Aston Villa," Crooks told the BBC following the defeat at Villa Park. "Two things stood out in this fixture: firstly, Aston Villa have been transformed under Unai Emery, and secondly, Newcastle United are not ready for the Champions League even if they do achieve a top-four place."
READ MORE: Cristian Stellini sacked by Tottenham after Newcastle thrashing hands Magpies top-four advantage
After naming Joelinton in his Team of The Week, Crooks told the BBC: "This was a horror show by Tottenham. Five goals down away from home against the team you are competing with for a Champions League place?
"Chairman Daniel Levy should insist the players reimburse travelling fans who no doubt spent a considerable amount of money to watch their team capitulate. Hugo Lloris' contribution to Tottenham's first half beggared belief and it was a relief not to see him return for the second half.
"Newcastle on the other hand looked as though they had completely recovered from their mauling at Villa Park and gone some way to securing a top-four finish. My man of the match and arguably Newcastle's player of the season is Joelinton.
"When he arrived at Newcastle he looked anything but a top-four player. He is now ever present in a Newcastle side that's going places."
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