Spurs Up A Gear Before St James' Park

Newcastle are upping the tempo before the big show opens on August 18 ... but so are Tottenham.

Gareth Bale was on the scoresheet as Tottenham completed their United States pre-season tour with a comeback victory over the New York Red Bulls.  Bale, who was left on crutches following a challenge from Liverpool midfielder Charlie Adam in Saturday's goalless draw against their Premier League rivals, started the game and headed home a 58th-minute equaliser to cancel out Kenny Cooper's early penalty for the hosts.

New signing Gylfi Sigurdsson then curled in a superb match-winning strike seven minutes after Bale's goal to give Andre Villas-Boas' men a 2-1 win at Red Bull Arena.

Saturday 18th August 2012   Newcastle United  v  Tottenham Hotspur 15:00  Saturday 25th August 2012   Chelsea  v  Newcastle United 15:00  Saturday 01st September 2012   Newcastle United  v  Aston Villa 15:00  Saturday 15th September 2012   Everton  v  Newcastle United 15:00