A month can be a long time in football. Against Crystal Palace at the end of November, Newcastle mustered only one shot on target in a meek 1-1 draw - a result that came hot on the heels of a 2-0 home defeat to struggling West Ham.

Top four was Tottenham’s dream in the summer after finishing fifth last season with a young squad. That now looks like an impossible dream, with Chelsea 11 points away in fourth. Newcastle could take full advantage, given they are just three points off fourth.