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Full Time

And that's that!

Positives to take away for both sides but it's today's hosts that claim the only three that truly matter in this sport.

Goals from Ba and Ben Arfa were enough to ensure that Jermain Defoe's effort matters little.

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90'+2—NEWC 2-1 SPURS

Alan Pardew paces in figure eight fashion as he waits for his side to hang on for this victory.

The former Southampton and West Ham manager must be eager to beat the post-match shop run.

Hatem Ben Arfa’s penalty was the 83rd pen ever scored by Newcastle in #EPL history, equalling Chelsea as the most in the division. #NUFC

— Infostrada Sports (@InfostradaLive) August 18, 2012

90'—NEWC 2-1 SPURS

Fourth official, Lee Mason, signals for three minutes of added time at the end of this fixture.

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86'—Substitution (Tottenham)

Tottenham reply in contrast and it is 19-year-old Harry Kane that Villas Boas turns to in his search for goals.

A Premier League debut for the youngster.

85'—Substitution (Newcastle)

After putting his side ahead in the first place, Demba Ba is withdrawn for the midfield presence of Gabriel Obertan.

83'—NEWC 2-1 SPURS

After a slightly lacklustre first period, this second half has been a feat for the neutrals.

With seen minutes to go in normal time, you wouldn't dare think it was over, though.

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80'—GOAL! (Ben Arfa)

And the Frenchman slots home the spot kick to put his side back in front!

Ben Arfa showed some dazzling footwork in the Spurs box before being brought down by a combination of Lennon and Van der Vaart.

Coolly does it.

79'—PENALTY! (Newcastle)

And, in true "Curse of the Commentator" style, Spurs could go down as Hatem Ben Arfa earns his side a penalty.

78'—NEWC 1-1 SPURS

AVB haymakers the imaginary demons around him as his side equalise.

That must feel like a considerale weight off his shoulders - at least for now.

Clive Rose/Getty Images

76'—GOAL!!!!! (Defoe)

Classic Jermain Defoe. 

After clearing a corner, Newcastle become subject to another Spurs attack.

TIm Krul saves a Gallas header and who else would be the first person on hand to lash home the free ball than Defoe?

75'—NEWC 1-0 SPURS

Jermain Defoe earns his side a corner but Newcastle clear with ease.

However, the ball comes back in and..

I don't half miss playing at St James's Park. Proper, proper football fans, city and stadium. #ToonArmy

— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) August 18, 2012

Mark Thompson/Getty Images

70'—Substitution (Newcastle)

Moments after Kyle Walker sends in a harmless cross, Yohan Cabaye comes off to thunderous applause so that Vurnon Anita can make his debut for the Magpies.

69'—Substitution (Tottenham)

The first substitution of the game sees Gylfi Sigurdsson make way for Rafael van der Vaart.

A like for like change in attacking midfield.

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66'—NEWC 1-0 SPURS

Rafael van der Vaart may be the player Andre Villas Boas looks to to get his side back in this game.

The Dutchman strips down on the sidelines and prepares to enter the fray. 

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew was sent to the stand not long after Demba Ba put his side ahead. Replays showed he pushed the linesman.

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 18, 2012

62'—NEWC 1-0 SPURS

Tottenham will need to throw on some attacking impetus if they are to come away from this with a win. The problem is that 19-year-old Harry Kane is the only striker on the bench and he hasn't played a minute of Premier League football. 

Dilemma.

Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

58'—RED CARD!

But it's not one you'd expect.

Alan Pardew doesn't like a refereeing decision and after pushes the fourth official, is sent to the stands to think about what he's done.

1094 – Demba Ba has scored only his second Premier League goal for Newcastle in 1094 minutes alongside Papiss Demba Cisse. Wait.

— Opta Sports (@OptaJoe) August 18, 2012

Michael Steele/Getty Images

54'—GOAL!! (Newcastle, Cissé)

And just as he did last season, Demba Ba has started the 2012-13 campaign in the goals.

The ball is sent into the Spurs area and appears harmless as it's flung up in the air.

However, Ba collects and serenely strokes the ball into the far-right hand side of Friedel's goal.

Calm as you like.

52'—NEWC 0-0 SPURS

Totenham haven't really taken as firm a grip on these opening second half exchanges as they would have liked.

And just like that...

Chris Brunskill/Getty Images

49'—NEWC 0-0 SPURS

Aaron Lennon has looked menacing for Tottenham so far today.

The pint-sized poacher isn't long after finishing a dainty run into the opposition's box before he's chasing down the ball in an attempt to win back possession.

When you have a shortage of strikers, someone like Lennon is an asset to have around.

46'—NEWC 0-0 SPURS

And Tottenham get this game started again..

Second Half

The teams are back out on the pitch and ready to get this second period underway.

As Guy Mowbray's tweet points out below, history dictates that there are goals in this game.