Newcastle have now won five of their last six league games to move up into 11th place, turning their season around since supporters demonstrated following a defeat here at St James' Park by Sheffield United less than two months ago.

"I can't give the whole squad enough credit because we weren't in a good position 10 weeks ago," Roeder said. "We were looking over our shoulder and now we're looking up.

"I was demanding a win against Spurs to get us to 25 points at the half-way stage of the season -- and getting there is an outstanding achievement because we had every excuse to buckle under the amount of games and the amount of injuries," former Newcastle defender Roeder added after this latest win.

"Footballers have been known to take any excuse, but you can't accuse this lot of doing that."

Newcastle's win was rarely in doubt after they scored twice in the first seven minutes through Kieron Dyer and Obafemi Martins.

Spurs hit back through Danny Murphy, but a mistake by Spurs keeper Paul Robinson presented Scott Parker with the chance to score United's third.

"I couldn't have asked for a better start. I told my players at the interval that we didn't need a fourth goal -- the important thing was not to concede another," Roeder explained.

The only worry for Roeder before the game at Bolton on Boxing Day was a groin injury to keeper Shay Given, replaced for the final five minutes against Spurs by Pavel Srnicek, now in his second spell with Newcastle.

Martin Jol, the Tottenham manager, has no worries about his keeper, although England international Robinson was badly at fault for Parker's goal.

"Paul will hold his hands up that the third goal was his fault when he didn't catch the ball, but he is a fine goalkeeper who has done well for us this season," Jol said.

The Dutchman also insisted that seventh-placed Tottenham wasted chances to extend their own impressive run. "Two goals in the first seven minutes -- that's just what you don't want," he said.

"All credit to Newcastle, though, because they played in an aggressive and clinical manner, particularly in the centre of the park.

"They didn't play better than us, but they took us on on the break and showed us respect.

"The score was horrendous but we could have had a far better result. We just weren't clinical enough.

"Even at 2-0, we had opportunities on four or five occasions. We could have been 1-0 ahead and 10 seconds later the ball was in our net -- that's probably typical of us this (Saturday) afternoon.

"Their second goal was offside. The linesman was 10 or 12 yards away and didn't give it.

"I know Newcastle are a dangerous side, but overall our play was a bit more accurate. Our possession game was good but we couldn't finish it off -- and that's what they did.

"We could have scored more goals today. That's the difference between our home and away form, but we are not far off. We are still in a good position."