Ten-man Newcastle bid farewell to the Premier League with an extraordinary win over Tottenham, who finished third.
The display by the Magpies was scarcely believable. Georginio Wijnaldum fired in the opener and Aleksandar Mitrovic powerfully headed home for 2-0.
Erik Lamela reduced the deficit before Mitrovic was shown a straight red for a nasty foul on Kyle Walker.
Wijnaldum scored his second from the spot, and Rolando Aarons and Daryl Janmaat wrapped up the scoring.
That defeat for Spurs coupled with Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Aston Villa meant that Mauricio Pochettino’s men ended their season below their north London rivals. They have not finished above the Gunners since 1995.
Having had relegation confirmed earlier in the week, some thought that Newcastle would capitulate against a Spurs side targeting the runners-up spot and the achievement of getting one over Arsenal.
However, straight from kick-off, the home side pressured their opponents in midfield with Cheick Tiote and Sissoko leading the way, and it was the visitors who lay down.
Wijnaldum, who had failed to find the net in the previous 16 league games, drove in his 10th of the season before his provider Mitrovic directed in the second.
Lamela revived Spurs’ hopes with a strike that seemed to baffle keeper Karl Darlow at the near post and their hopes were boosted when red mist descended over Mitrovic, who was sent off for a studs-first challenge on England full-back Walker.
However, that seemed to motivate the Magpies and Sissoko. Soon after the incident the France midfielder drove into the Spurs area and was brought down by Jan Vertonghen.
Wijnaldum slotted in his second and Tottenham heads slumped. A fierce, angled drive from substitute Aarons made it 4-0, before Janmaat slotted in the fifth.
Not even a plane paid for by Sunderland fans to mock their relegated rivals could ruin what was a memorable day for the Magpies and their manager Rafael Benitez.
The home support chanted the Spaniard’s name from the first whistle and after the last. He saluted those who backed him on the pitch with a big grin across his face. The question is, was that display enough to persuade him to lead the club in the Championship?
Earlier in the week he suggested the talks with the Newcastle chiefs were “positive” and after Sunday’s win the ex-Real Madrid boss said: “My heart is telling me yes [to stay], it is a great opportunity, city and club but my brain is saying to analyse what is going on.”
It seems he is waiting for Mike Ashley to make the next move. It could prove to be the owner’s most important decision.
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