Spurs return for Morientes

Spurs had plenty of possession, but their clever approach work was too often undermined by poor final passes into the penalty area.

A more accurate and consistent supply to the front line would have enabled Tottenham to return from their trip to Tyneside with at least a point.

More frustrating for Hoddle will have been the defensive frailties that cost them dearly.

With their most consistent defender, Dean Richards, sidelined because of an Achilles problem for the second game running, the Spurs rearguard failed to cope with the experience and strength of Alan Shearer and the pace and directness of Craig Bellamy. After an initial spell in charge of the game, Spurs allowed Newcastle to take an early lead when Gary Speed drilled the ball home from eight yards.

Tottenham tried in vain to muster some kind of potent reply and Gus Poyet should have levelled before half-time but shot straight at Shay Given.

Without the injured Jamie Redknapp and flu victim Darren Anderton, Spurs lacked a playmaker in midfield and their shape became increasingly constricted as the game wore on.

The match was won in the second half thanks to some comical defending from Chris Perry.

He lost his concentration while arguing with the referee over a throw-in and, within seconds, Bellamy's cross found an unmarked Shearer to head home.

Hoddle said: "Why were we standing there like dummies? I wasn't sure if the ref got the throw-in decision right at first, but now I think he probably did. If we give goals away like that, we are going to struggle.

"But I thought we deserved a draw. We played very well in the first half, got into some good positions and should have been leading instead of chasing the game.

"We deserved a draw. In the last 10 to 15 minutes, we were controlling the game."

Hoddle left skipper Teddy Sheringham on the bench to start with but even his introduction along with former Newcastle striker Ferdinand in the second half, failed to produce the kind of comeback that earned them a point against Charlton on Boxing Day.

An own goal by Nikos Dabizas momentarily gave them a lift but Spurs, for all their late pressure, failed to capitalise on some edgy defending from the home side.

It is a frustrating end to the year for Hoddle who saw yet another opportunity to move into a Champions League spot evaporate.

He now faces two trips to his former club Southampton, one in the league and one in the FA Cup, and both could have a significant impact on the rest of Tottenham's season.