Amanda Staveley was furious. Much time had passed when the former Newcastle United owner hit out at a group of clubs for 'doing everything they can to make sure' the Champions League places were available to as few sides as possible after fearful executives voted in new related-party sponsorship rules following the Magpies' takeover.

However, having seen Newcastle upset the established order once already, the Premier League's old guard might have to get used to the black-and-whites making another push for a seat at Europe's top table after Eddie Howe's team moved within a point of fourth-placed Chelsea.

There is still a lot of football to play, of course, but Newcastle are currently 13 points clear of Manchester United and 11 ahead of Spurs. Should that even come as a surprise? Since Howe took charge of a relegation-threatened side, in 2021, only Man City, Liverpool and Arsenal have picked up more points in the league than Newcastle.

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There have been some notable results against Spurs and Manchester United along the way. Newcastle have won five of their last six games versus Spurs while the black-and-whites have triumphed on two of their last three visits to Old Trafford in all competitions after doing so just once in the previous half a century.

These stadiums no longer carry the fear factor of old for Newcastle. After ending 2024 with a win against Manchester United, Newcastle merely picked up from where they left off and started the new year with a victory against another member of the so-called big six in Spurs - even if they had to work for it against an injury-hit side.

Newcastle, in the process, claimed more than six points. Captain Bruno Guimaraes has spoken about how such wins also make the players feel like they 'can do massive things in the season'. That was not lost on even the measured Howe.

"We need to win games like this on a regular basis to achieve what we want," the Newcastle boss said. "Sometimes you need to do it to believe you can do it."

To think these were once matches that did not always generate a great deal of optimism. For context, the last time Newcastle had previously recorded a win at the home of a traditional big hitter was back in October, 2022 when the Magpies beat Spurs 2-1.

Last season, Newcastle lost all their league games on the road against Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Spurs and Manchester United by an aggregate scoreline of 19-8. Manchester City and Chelsea also knocked the black-and-whites out of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup respectively in 2023-24. That's how difficult these trips historically are.

However, one of the big strengths of Newcastle this season has been the black-and-whites' big-game record. At St James' Park, Newcastle have gone toe-to-toe with league leaders Liverpool in a 3-3 draw; beaten Arsenal and Spurs; knocked Chelsea out of the Carabao Cup; and claimed a deserved point against Manchester City several months before the champions' subsequent collapse. Now Newcastle are taking that mentality on the road.

Howe has highlighted the need to see the 'same Newcastle', regardless of where or who his side play, and the Magpies are full of belief following six wins on the bounce. Newcastle have a defence who have only shipped two goals in the last half a dozen games in all competitions. The black-and-whites possess a heavyweight midfield capable of 'going up against anything' in the Premier League in the words of Jamie Carragher, who can not only hurt teams with the ball, but who are also prepared to dig in without it. In fact, Sandro Tonali (5.2km), Bruno Guimaraes (5km) and Joelinton (4.5km) led the way for distance run out of possession at Spurs. Newcastle also have the league's most in-form striker in Alexander Isak and a rapid frontline who have been directly involved in 24 goals since the start of December. Add it all together and it is a potent mix.

However, perhaps, what is most ominous for Newcastle's rivals is that no one inside the club is getting carried away and Howe's side are simply taking one game at a time like they did when they last qualified for the Champions League. Just as Howe spoke about how Newcastle had to be 'really good' in their preparation for Tuesday night's huge cup semi-final at Arsenal, following the win at Spurs, Isak was also talking about the importance of 'staying focused and working hard'.

This group know they have not achieved anything yet. It feels like they are just getting started. Just ask Sandro Tonali. "It's crunch time now and we are hungry," the Italy international declared.