Ed: Can Newcastle emulate their performances of last season and get in Europe after a really bad start (once again)? Let us know in the comments.

In one of the most entertaining and thrilling games of the season Newcastle United came from behind with two goals in two minutes, in the second half, to beat a strong Tottenham side 3-2 on Sunday.

Newcastle continued to have as many as thirteen of their first team squad unavailable through injury (including Owen, Ameobi, Carr, Bramble, Moore, Babayaro, Duff, Parker, N’Zogbia and Emre to name a few) and started five who had come through their academy.

Both sides started as though they wanted all three points and Tottenham scored the break-through goal on merit after 14 minutes through the impressive Jermaine Defoe. By this time Shay Given had already proved why he is one (if not the best) goalkeeper in the Premiership with a number of fine saves.

Tottenham had started at an electric pace and their goal came as they threatened to overwhelm the inexperienced and young Newcastle defense. However, almost immediately, nineteen year old Paul Huntington smashed the ball home - through goalkeeper Robinson’s legs - from a James Milner free kick and Newcastle were suddenly all square.

The game was being played at a frantic pace and half time came with both teams continuing to attack but with Tottenham shading it by half time - and but for Shay Given and some desperate defending, specifically from Solano and Butt, Newcastle would have been behind.

The game continued in the second half as it had ended after 45 minutes, and Tottenham started to put increasing pressure on the Newcastle defense. Their second goal came on 54 minutes from Berbatov (who looked superb throughout) after Solano had somehow blocked an initial shot on goal.

During the next 15 minutes Tottenham pushed manfully for a third and decisive goal but somehow, through both good luck and good defending, Newcastle held on. This was the crucial time in the match when (in retrospect) Tottenham lost their chance of putting the game away and claiming all three points.

Then, with one piece of striking magic, Obefemi Martins turned the game, with an unbelievable left footed shot from 25 yards that went into the net and past Paul Robinson like a guided missile. A wonderful goal right out of the blue and one that brought Newcastle back into the game.

Martins, within two minutes, then turned provider and stroked a ball through for Nicky Butt - who dispatched the ball into the net past a diving Paul Robinson for only his second Newcastle goal.

After being under the cosh for 20 minutes Newcastle had somehow turned the game on its ear and were 3-2 ahead.

The final 15 minutes was all Tottenham as they tried to get back into the game they had looked to be winning, and with only four minutes remaining Jermaine Defoe (who had another excellent game under the watching eyes of England manager Steve McClaren) had a shot that struck the post.

They say fortune favors the brave - and nobody could doubt this young Newcastle team fought like tigers, and because of their attitude - they probably deserved the luck they had.

From a Tottenham perspective, this is a game they will think they should have won, but Shay Given and some stout Newcastle defending denied them on multiple occasions but they were still desperately unlucky.

The real winner in this game however, was the Premiership - it’s little wonder the league is in such great demand throughout the world with games like this on offer.