Afternoon all and thanks for joining Sports Mole's live text coverage of this particular Premier League encounter. Both sides need the three points today, albeit for very different reasons. Let's start by taking a look at which players have made the starting lineups...

SPURS XI: Lloris; Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose; Carroll, Dier; Lamela, Alli, Eriksen; Kane

SPURS SUBS: Vorm, Davies, Trippier, Bentaleb, Chadli, Onomah, Son

Having rung the changes for the midweek Europa League clash against Monaco, Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino has reverted back to a more familiar side for this encounter. Leading goalscorer Harry Kane has been restored to the attack, while Christian Eriksen, Jan Vertonghen and Dele Alli all return. Tom Carroll scored against the Ligue 1 outfit and has kept his place in midfield, but Son Heung-min has dropped down to the bench.

Talking of Carroll, this will in fact be his first ever Premier League start, more than four years after his debut.

And now for the away team...

NEWCASTLE XI: Elliot; Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Dummett; Sissoko, Anita, Colback, Wijnaldum; De Jong; Cisse

NEWCASTLE SUBS: Darlow, Sterry, Mbabu, Gouffran, Thauvin, Perez, Mitrovic

After claiming a much needed win over Liverpool last time out, Newcastle head coach Steve McClaren has kept faith with the same players. That means that there is another start for Siem de Jong, who will play just deep of lone centre-forward Papiss Cisse. Moussa Sissoko and leading goalscorer Georginio Wijnaldum will operate on either flank, while captain Fabricio Coloccini will be looked upon to lead the back four.

Staying with McClaren, here is what the Newcastle boss had to say about this game to the club's official website:

© Getty Images

"We need to follow up at White Hart Lane. We need to put in a performance if we are to get anything. We have been reiterating what we did against Liverpool and what we need to do to give a good performance against Spurs.

"We had a terrible run of two games, so its important we get back to where we were at before the international break. The players were on form and the crowd were on form - we need to follow that up at Spurs.

"One of the key ingredients is that you have to out-run your opponent and put the effort in. It's no coincidence that when you do that, the crowd get behind you and you get results."

Meanwhile, McClaren's opposite number Pochettino offered up: "We have a tough game, Newcastle are coming from a big victory against Liverpool last week and I think they believe more than before. That victory gave them more confidence and it's because of that we expect a tough game against a very good side like Newcastle.

"Newcastle will come here very aggressive and try to win. We need to work hard, to have the same motivation and mentality, play to our philosophy and make sure we're ready to compete. I always try to focus on our team and how we can improve and we have a very tough game ahead."

RESULT! Elsewhere, Tottenham's main rivals Arsenal have just gone to the top of the Premier League thanks to a 2-0 win away at struggling Aston Villa. Our match report from Villa Park can be found here.

Spurs can close the gap on their neighbours to just four points with a win today. Not only that, Pochettino's men will also leapfrog Manchester United into fourth position if they take maximum points by virtue of goal difference. The Tottenham boss has said that it's too early to call his team title contenders, but in what is an unpredictable season, they may just be that.

As for the visiting Magpies, the win over Liverpool was just their third of the season. Only a victory in North London will be enough to lift them out of the relegation zone. In fact, it would propel them into 14th position and with Aston Villa to come at home next, things might start to be looking up.

PODCAST! So, which side will move up the table then? Sports Mole's very own Barney Corkhill and Pascal Lemesre have had their say. Click play below to hear their thoughts:

On top of that, here is the insightful Danny Higginbotham talking tactics:

Tactical Analysis: @Higginbotham05 looks at @SpursOfficial's full-backs and how they can cause @NUFC problems. https://t.co/d1C8kvdQYR

— BreatheSport (@BreatheSport) December 13, 2015

STATS!

1. Newcastle has won just one of the last 14 Premier League away games (W1 D2 L11), scoring a total of just five goals in that run and conceding 35.

2. The Magpies have dropped the points from winning positions this season, 10 - along with bottom-placed Aston Villa.

3. Tottenham are unbeaten in their last 14 league games, which is their best run since 1985. They have not gone 15 matches without defeat since 1978.

PREDICTION: With around 10 minutes to go until proceedings get underway at White Hart Lane, I'll throw my hat into the ring as well! All logic would point to a Spurs win and although shocks can happen, it's difficult to look beyond a home win. Not only are Spurs good going forward, they've also been tight defensively. Newcastle may have won on their last two Premier League visits to White Hart Lane, but that run will stop today I think. Spurs to win 2-0.

Working for BBC Sport this afternoon, Jason Roberts has been waxing lyrical about Spurs: "I'm so impressed with Spurs and Mauricio Pochettino. The results are excellent but more so the identity he's put in place. That's the exciting thing about them.

"Defensively they're so solid. He's added steel to the side and belief and with young English players, which is wonderful - the bravery to put Dele Alli in."

The two sets of players are now out on the pitch at the Lane. Not long now until we are off and running.

KICKOFF! Referee Roger East blows his whistle for the first time and it's Newcastle that get the game underway.

SAVE! An early sign of intent from hosting Tottenham and their leading goalscorer Kane. He cuts in from the left flank and drills a low shot goalwards from the edge of the box. It appears that the ball would have crept inside the post, but Elliot gets down in time to parry clear. Moments later Spurs full-back Kyle Walker motors down the right wing, but his cross is easily cleared. Good start from Pochettino's charges.

Meanwhile, up the other end Lloris is worried by De Jong's inswinging effort, but before the ball can reach the goal it is blocked by Newcastle striker Cisse. Had the frontman not intervened, that may well have been heading in.

What a fantastic player Spurs playmaker Eriksen is. Moments ago he just threaded a perfectly weighted pass on the blindside of Janmaat for Rose to run on to. Unfortunately for the home side the left-back badly overhits his cross and the danger passes.

Another opening for Spurs as the ball is hoisted into the Newcastle box. Alli is underneath it, but the youngster's first touch lets him down and Newcastle are able to clear.

Some potentially bad news for Spurs now because Rose is down on the turf. Having given away possession, the defender harried after Sissoko to win the ball back and in doing so has picked up an injury. He's currently receiving treatment, but looks to be in a lot of discomfort.

Rose has now returned to the action and actually appears to be moving more freely. Whatever the physio did, it's done the trick!

Spurs really are in complete control of proceedings here, but they haven't been able to call Elliot into action too often. As for Newcastle, it seems as though they have come to North London in the hope of nabbing a 0-0 draw, which given their defensive performances of late is certainly a risky strategy!

Earlier in the game Spurs had concerns over Rose and now their other full-back Walker is limping following a challenge with Dummett. It appears that he is going to carry on, despite wincing.

BOOKING! Walker certainly has been in the wars in recent minutes. He's just been tripped up by Colback, who is rightly booked. That's the Newcastle midfielder's sixth caution in his last eight outings.

For those that are concerned this one might end 0-0, it's worth noting that none of the last 18 meetings between the pair in the Premier League have ended goalless.

SAVE! Better from Spurs, who actually call Elliot into action on this occasion. Rose cuts the ball back from the byline for Thursday's hat-trick hero Lamela. The Argentine's goalbound effort is swinging away from the Newcastle goalkeeper, but he manages to just about get a glove to the ball to keep the scoreline level.

Spurs have not exactly peppered the Newcastle goal, yet they do deserve to be in front. Elliot is called upon again to thwart Lamela with an instinctive stop. However, Eriksen's resultant corner is met by an advancing Dier, who is able to guide his headed effort into the far corner. Elliot gets his hand on the ball, but there's too much power in the effort. That's the holding midfielder's third goal of the campaign.

Spurs are good these days, and exceedingly well coached. — Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) December 13, 2015

CHANCE! It really should be 2-0 to Spurs. Eriksen's shot from the edge of the box is deflected into the path of Rose. It seems that the left-back is in two minds about whether to shoot or cross, though, and the ball is eventually fired well wide of the target.

There will be two added minutes at the end of the first half. From Newcastle's point of view it's vitally important that they don't concede again before the break.

There goes the whistle for the break and it's Spurs that are deservedly in front in the capital.

The hosts really started to turn the screw towards the end of that first half, so it was little surprise when they edged in front. Dier was the scorer and having found the net twice during the whole of last season, he already has three goals to his name this time around. Considering how tight they are defensively, it's difficult to see Spurs throwing this one away.

As for Newcastle, there isn't much that can be said really. They came for a 0-0 draw and that plan has now backfired. They're going to have to show a bit more ambition after the restart if they are to stand a chance of nabbing something from the game. That, of course, carries its own risk because more spaces will be left for Spurs to exploit.

STAT!

5 - Newcastle have been 1-0 down at half-time in each of their last five meetings with Tottenham in all competitions. Familiar. — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 13, 2015

MATCH ACTION! Here is the moment that Dier gave Spurs the lead in the 39th minute.

© Getty Images

RESTART! Spurs, who are 1-0 in front, get us back underway at White Hart Lane.

Bright start to the second half by Spurs and in particular Lamela. He shows quick feet inside the Newcastle area, but his cross is just too high for Kane, meaning that the away side escape.

More decent play from Spurs as the rampaging Walker squares a pass for Alli, who is hauled down 20 yards from goal by Newcastle midfielder Anita. The resultant free kick comes to nothing, though, as Eriksen fires the ball straight into the wall.

CHANCE! Out of nothing, Newcastle should be level. All the work is done by Sissoko as he breaks from the halfway line and deep into Spurs territory. His pass for Cisse is perfectly weighted and gives the Newcastle striker a great chance, only for him to fire wide of Lloris's goal. It's safe to say that Newcastle won't get many better chances than that.

SAVE! Up the other end, Kane, who has been quiet today, tries his luck from distance with a rising effort. It's comfortable for Elliot, though, as the Newcastle keeper tips the ball wide.

To be fair to Newcastle, they have been more ambitious in this second half than they were for throughout the entirety of the opening 45 minutes. They just forced a corner, but De Jong's delivery was weak and easily cleared.

As Newcastle start to gain a foothold on the game, it's created a nervousness inside White Hart Lane. It's the away fans that can be heard now.

CHANCE! Another opening for Cisse, although this one was more difficult. Sissoko is again the creator with a cross from the right, which Cisse can only send straight into the hands of a waiting Lloris.

NEWCASTLE SUB: Perhaps sensing that his side can get something from this game, McClaren makes a positive change, with Perez taking the place of the ineffective De Jong. The little Spaniard scored in Newcastle's 2-1 here last season.

BOOKING! Trying to retrieve possession from Colback, Spurs midfielder Carroll can only haul down the Newcastle player and is booked.

TOTTENHAM SUB: And that was to be Carroll's last involvement as his number goes up on the board. He has been replaced by South Korea international Son.

Earlier in this second half Sissoko produced a brace of great deliveries for Cisse, but his most recent two have been disappointing. Both have flown straight into Lloris's hands, which has relieved all of the pressure on the home team.

NEWCASTLE SUB: Second change of the match for the Tynesiders sees Cisse replaced by Mitrovic.

That is what you call a shrewd substitution! Mitrovic has only been on the pitch for around 60 seconds and he has drawn Newcastle level. Colocinni heads the ball back into the danger area for Mbemba, who is brilliantly denied by Lloris from six yards out. Yet, the rebound is prodded over the line by the substitute and he cannot hide his delight as he wheels away to celebrate with the travelling faithful. You have to say that Newcastle deserve that equaliser.

If there is going to be a winner, right now it looks like it's going to be Newcastle. Moments ago Sissoko sprints clear down the right flank and his low cross was just about to be tapped in by Mitrovic, only for a sliding Alderweireld to make a crucial interception at the final second.

First venture forward for Spurs in a while as Rose wins possession from Sissoko and moves forward. His pass for Son is a good one, but the South Korean attacker fires well over.

TOTTENHAM SUB: Another alteration for Spurs which sees Chadli enter the field at the expense of Lamela.

You can see why Mitrovic as a reputation of being a hothead. He has just needlessly locked heads with Spurs midfielder Alli - a situation that was threatening to intensify before the referee stepped in to calm things down.

CHANCE! How are Newcastle not in front? Sissoko has been fantastic in the second half. Once again he drives down the right wing and sends over a low cross. It seems that Mitrovic has a routine finish to secure all three points for the Magpies, but he somehow fails to make contact with the ball.

NEWCASTLE SUB: As the referee's assistant indicates that there will be four minutes of stoppage time, Gouffran comes on for Anita.

What a double substitution from McClaren! First Mitrovic draws Newcastle level and now Perez has surely won them all three points. The latter scampers on to the former's flick on and from a tight angle, he fires a shot that squirms through Lloris and into the far corner. The Spurs keeper will not be happy, but Newcastle don't care one bit. If they can hold on, they'll be out of the relegation zone.

Nobody could have seen that coming when the whistle was blown for the break. Spurs were in complete control at that point, yet it's Newcastle that are celebrating the victory and after their second-half showing, it's hard to begrudge them it. They've won back to back Premier League games for the first time in over a year and are up to 14th. Things are looking a little rosier in the Newcastle garden all of a sudden.

That is all we have time for from White Hart Lane. Thanks for joining us on Sports Mole this afternoon and until next time, goodbye.