Spurs send Newcastle closer to the drop

Tottenham Hotspur maintained their late-season drive for European soccer and pushed Newcastle United further towards relegation when they won a one-sided Premier League match 1-0 at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Darren Bent scored the only goal after 24 minutes as Spurs, beaten once in their last nine league matches, moved to within one point of West Ham United and seventh place which should guarantee a place in the Europa League next season.

Manchester City kept their faint hopes of European football alive with a 4-2 defeat of bottom club West Bromwich Albion to leave Tony Mowbray's team five points adrift of Newcastle and nine points from safety.

The defeat left Newcastle, still waiting for their revival to start under caretaker manager Alan Shearer, in 19th place, four points from safety with five matches to play. Shearer's three matches in charge have produced one draw and two defeats.

Spurs dominated the first half and much of the second and the only surprise was that they reached halftime leading by only a single goal, which came after a swift Spurs counter-attack in the 24th minute.

Luka Modric's final pass to Robbie Keane was intercepted by defender Sebastien Bassong but the ball rolled to Darren Bent whose first shot was parried by goalkeeper Steve Harper before the striker slammed in the rebound from an acute angle.

Substitute Obafemi Martins had a good chance to equalise two minutes from time for Newcastle, who are without a league win in eight matches.

City flattered to deceive after storming to a 2-0 lead inside 21 minutes with goals from Robinho, his first in the league since December 28, and Nedum Onuoha.

West Brom hit back through a Chris Brunt double either side of halftime, and after Brazilian Elano restored City's advantage from the penalty spot on 56 minutes they pushed for an equaliser.

A last-minute City goal from Daniel Sturridge rubbed salt in the wounds of West Brom, winless in 11 matches.