So much at stake for Tottenham ambitions as rejuvenated Newcastle come to capital

Today’s glitzy World Cup draw in Qatar has ensured questions about sportswashing are front and centre again this week.

In that context, it is still surreal to look back on the last meeting between Tottenham and Newcastle, who go head to head in north London on Sunday.

There have been few better visual representations of sportswashing in our game than 50,000 Newcastle fans, some donning tea towels on their heads, turning in unison to welcome the club’s new Saudi owners to St James’ Park ahead of Spurs’ visit in October.

Newcastle began their new era with a performance that very much belonged to the old, going down 3-2 to Nuno Espirito Santo’s Spurs in a game which said more about the shortcomings of Steve Bruce’s side than the visitors’ quality.

Nearly six months on, both clubs are in very different shape. Spurs are genuinely improving into an impressive team under Antonio Conte and gearing up for a run-in which should see them in direct competition with rivals Arsenal for fourth place.

The international break came at a poor time for Conte’s side and after finally putting together back-to-back wins over Brighton and West Ham, Spurs need to continue where they left.

Spurs’ victory on Tyneside left Newcastle winless from their opening eight games and stuck in the bottom three but, backed by their new owners, they have surged clear of relegation, thanks largely to a number of new signings in January and good work from Bruce’s successor, Eddie Howe.

For Spurs, Newcastle’s uplift under their controversial new owners is just another reason why finishing fourth feels so crucial. The race for Champions League football already has the makings of a pivotal juncture for Spurs. If Arsenal maintain their hold on fourth place, their