Record signing Alexander Isak helped to blast Newcastle to within touching distance of Champions League football as they took top-four rivals Tottenham apart in a 6-1 rout at St James' Park.
The £60million Sweden international scored twice in an astonishing first-half blitz which saw Eddie Howe's men race into a 5-0 lead with just 21 minutes played to take his tally for an injury-interrupted season to 10.
Jacob Murphy also helped himself to a double either side of Joelinton's strike with substitute Callum Wilson adding a sixth in front of a delighted crowd of 52,252 to lift their club back into third place above Manchester United, who have a game in hand, on goal difference.
In the process, they dealt a potentially fatal blow to Tottenham's hopes of overhauling them with Harry Kane's 49th-minute effort providing scant consolation.
Spurs fans were seen leaving the game midway through the first half and Mail Sport spoke to two of them after the game.
Simon, 58 (left at half-time)
This is a new low. It’s a disgrace. We came up yesterday morning. It’s a £300 weekend to watch that shambles. We hadn’t even got to our seats and we were 3-0 down.
There’s nothing wrong with losing but lose with some pride. Put some effort in. That’s an embarrassment.
Ollie, 19 (left at half-time)
Shocking. Get rid of Stellini. Why have we got this guy in? What was the point of sacking Conte if we were bringing him in? It’s pathetic.
We had a chance of top four and we’ve blown it. We’ve got Manchester United on Thursday and our place is going to be toxic.