Newcastle manager Steve McClaren believes that the 2-1 victory at Tottenham on Sunday (13 December) was the team's response to critics but insisted his side need to keep this consistency in the upcoming games. The manager hailed his team's performance in the second half of the game to come back behind to secure their second consecutive win in the Premier League following their last weekend victory over Liverpool.

Spurs took the lead in the first-half of the game after Eric Dyer headed the opener. But Aleksandar Mitrovic and Ayoze Perez stepped off the substitutes' bench to give McClaren's side a victory that lifts them out of the relegation zone.

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"It was a big test, especially being 1-0 down at half-time. Its answered the critics we have had over the last four weeks and it was a great performance in the second half and a great result," he said to BBC. "That is what we are: a bedrock of discipline and hard work. We have talented players, and they know how to win, we just have to do it consistently."

McClaren, meanwhile, took the credit out from his changes despite both substitutes Mitrovic and Perez made an special impact to claim the three points. The manager instead paid tribute to his players as they proved their worth to turnaround the game.

"[The goals from the subs] are nothing to do with my decision, it's down to the players on the pitch, they have to impact. We asked them to win the game and that's what they did," he said.

"We haven't turned the corner yet, we need more performances like that. We have been inconsistent."