That Tottenham ended their slump last night after recovering from a goal down was somewhat lost in the mayhem. With three sendings-off and three penalties - one missed by Spurs - this remarkable match had Bobby Robson fuming at the fourth official and George Graham's head filled with more than the joy of an overdue win.

By the time Les Ferdinand headed in a Darren Anderton free-kick to secure Spurs' win Nol Solano and Kieron Dyer had seen red for Newcastle and Tottenham had seen their goalkeeper Neil Sullivan take an early bath.

Solano put Newcastle ahead in the 23rd minute but within two minutes Sergei Rebrov had twice been denied by goalkeeper Steve Harper; within quarter of an hour Spurs had not just scored three times but missed a penalty and, in the middle of that, Solano went from hero to zero and was sent off.

Ireland's Gary Doherty, a forward at Ipswich but shifted into the back three here by Graham, was at the centre of much of a remarkable passage of play. Three minutes after Solano had scored he equalised with his first league goal for the club, heading in a Stephen Clemence cross.

No sooner had Newcastle absorbed that blow than the second arrived. Referee Steve Bennett awarded a penalty when Gary Speed shoved Anderton off the ball and, once fierce Newcastle protests had subsided, Anderton sent his spot-kick to Harper's right. A second penalty followed shortly when Doherty's header from a corner was handled by Solano on the line.

Solano was dismissed and Robson was involved in an angry exchange with the fourth official Andy D'Urso. His anger must have subsided slightly when Harper saved Anderton's effort with a leg but it was only a temporary reprieve. When Doherty played a neat pass to Rebrov, the Ukrainian curled a brilliant shot with the outside of his right foot beyond Harper and in via a post.

Tottenham: Sullivan, Campbell, Perry, Anderton (Young 82), Sherwood, Leonhardsen (Walker 48), Clemence, King, Ferdinand, Rebrov, Doherty. Subs Not Used: Korsten, Davies, Thelwell. Sent Off: Sullivan (48). Goals: Doherty 27, Anderton 30 pen, Rebrov 35, Ferdinand 77.

Newcastle: Harper, Barton, Goma, Griffin (Glass 69), Hughes, Bassedas, Speed, Acuna, Solano, Dyer, Ameobi (LuaLua 69). Subs Not Used: Given, Stephen Caldwell, Cordone. Sent Off: Solano (32), Dyer (53). Booked: Bassedas, Goma. Goals: Solano 23, Dyer 49 pen. Attendance: 34,324.

Referee: S Bennett (Orpington).