Jurgen Klinsmann and Les Ferdinand headed Tottenham's survival mission as the relegation clouds finally lifted at White Hart Lane.

It was a conclusive victory over Newcastle whose FA Cup final ambitions are still in distinct danger of devaluation by their continuing struggle in the Premiership.

Klinsmann, substituted at half-time after a poor performance at Barnsley eight days ago and dropped by Germany in midweek, nodded Spurs in front in 31 minutes after manager Christian Gross gave him another chance to show World Cup pedigree in the cause of Tottenham's security.

And ex-Magpie Ferdinand wrapped it up 18 minutes from time, climbing at the far post to convert David Ginola's perfectly-flighted 10th corner of the afternoon. It was Ferdinand's second goal in five days after scoring for England B team in midweek and his first since August in an injury-ravaged season for Spurs.

But it was his former Newcastle team-mate Ginola who did most to make this yet another miserable afternoon for Kenny Dalglish's dull Geordies.

The Frenchman teased and tormented Newcastle's defence throughout and even some bruising treatment could not contain him.

Steve Watson had already been booked and could easily have been sent off for a spiteful lunge from behind at Ginola whose fury exploded when England captain Alan Shearer blatantly kicked him in the back of the leg four minutes before the end.

Referee Jeff Winter amazingly allowed the incident to go unpunished but it could not interrupt the joy and relief that the long suffering Spurs fans who saw their team produce flair and commitment to restore respectability at last.

Gross brought back much-injured England midfielder Darren Anderton for his first start since December and although he tired before being taken off 20 minutes from the end the leggy midfielder played a good part in Tottenham's success and had a shot cleared off the line by Warren Barton just after the interval.

Ferdinand's mastery in the air and Ginola's continual supply of crosses had Newcastle under the cosh from start to finish apart from a short spell in the early part of the second period when familiar signs of panic in Tottenham's defence raised an ugly head.

Centre back Ramon Vega again looked shaky and twice almost scored own goals as Newcastle finally mounted a modicum of pressure.

But even Vega ended up a hero, blocking the ball on the goalline with his shins when Shearer seemed certain at last to reduce Newcastle's arrears with a jackknifing header at the far post from Gary Speed's accurate cross.

But that and David Batty's low drive a few minutes later which flew inches wide was the sum total of Newcastle's threat.

Dalglish again turned out a negative, defensive line up and Spurs could have won by a wider margin with steadier finishing.

Ginola missed a great chance just before the break, arriving at full speed to meet Anderton's cross but volleyed wide with the goal at his mercy.

Newcastle goal keeper Shay Given also made spectacular saves from Ferdinand on two other occasions when the striker out-jumped his marker's to get in headers - although Given could have known little about the second one which flew off his shoulder and over the bar.

Spurs produced one of their best displays for some time but it was undoubtedly helped by Newcastle's lack of ambition.

When they finally decided to offer the often isolated Shearer some assistance by sending on winger Keith Gillespie early in the second half, the Northern Ireland star lasted only four minutes before Colin Calderwood's challenge left him in heap and needing to be replaced by Georgian Temuri Ketsbaia.

Teams

Tottenham: Walker, Calderwood, Fox, Anderton (Saib 69), Ferdinand, Carr, Vega, Ginola, Campbell, Klinsmann, Berti.

Subs Not Used: Baardsen, Armstrong, Scales, Clemence.

Booked: Ferdinand, Vega.

Goals: Klinsmann 31, Ferdinand 73.

Newcastle: Given, Barton, Batty, Shearer, Speed, Pearce, Watson, Pistone, Albert (Gillespie 49), Dabizas, Andersson, Gillespie (Ketsbaia 53).

Subs Not Used: Hislop, Howey, Barnes.

Booked: Watson, Pistone.

Att: 35,847

Ref: J T Winter (Stockton-on-Tees).