Newcastle produced a defensive masterclass at Tottenham on Sunday to earn a shock win, but Toon boss Steve Bruce joked afterwards that Ashes hero Ben Stokes would still get in his side at centre-half.
Stokes, a Newcastle fan, produced a stunning solo display just hours earlier to crawl England back from the jaws of defeat on day four of the third Ashes Test at Headingley.
Bruce, a Cricket fanatic, then led his side to an equally stunning victory at White Hart Lane courtesy of record signing Joelinton’s first goal in English football.
“I don’t know what was more nervous – the last 10 minutes of the cricket or this game,” he said.
“But certainly Ben Stokes can play centre-half for us next week, that’s for sure. How wonderful it was to watch, I have to say.”
The 58-year-old was up-to-date with all the drama at Headingley before his side’s clash in north London – watching the culmination of the third Test on someone’s iPad.
He explained: “It was just on. They’d gone for a warm-up and there’s nothing really you can do then.
“I usually just sit and read the programme. But how could I not watch?
“The kitman was running around like a blue-a***d fly saying: “We need 27 more – get it on!” It was better than reading the programme that’s for sure.”
