Adebayor scores twice as Spurs thrash Newcastle
NEWCASTLE, England (AP) — Emmanuel Adebayor scored twice as Tottenham thrashed Newcastle 4-0 on Wednesday at St. James' Park to keep up the pressure for a lucrative top four Champions League spot.
It was Newcastle's fourth straight home defeat for the first time in the Premier League era.
Togo striker Adebayor turned in a fine individual display, taking his tally to nine goals in his last 12 matches as Spurs tore Alan Pardew's depleted side to shreds.
He struck from close range with just 19 minutes gone to give the visitors a lead they never looked like relinquishing.
Brazil midfielder Paulinho scored in the 53rd before Adebayor doubled his tally with seven minutes remaining.
Nacer Chadli made it 4-0 in the 88th.
After posting its ninth away league win of the season, Tottenham stayed fifth, three points behind Liverpool in fourth place.
"I'm a perfectionist," Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood said. "I've been critical of the way we've started matches, but not today. The boys looked sharp from the start. We've got to keep on the tail of Liverpool — they are relentless. I hope they keep on checking over their shoulders and see Spurs are still there."
Adebayor broke the deadlock with a simple finish after goalkeeper Tim Krul failed to control Nabil Bentaleb's cross.
Aaron Lennon almost scored Tottenham's second before the break when he hit the base of the right post.
Hatem Ben Arfa came off the bench after Paulinho's goal and had an immediate impact, but Adebayor claimed his second goal in the 82nd.
Chadli rounded off the scoring with a curling shot.
"I was more upset about the performance. That wasn't an honest display from us," Pardew said. "I mentioned a few things in the dressing room that I hope hits home. I won't mention them to the media. Tottenham dominated proceedings from the start to the finish."
