Bent raises bar on Shearer rescue act

The Match of the Day sofa must look more inviting by the day to Alan Shearer. The former England striker swapped his comfortable TV job for the chance to lead Newcastle to safety, but two weeks on and the size of the task has grown immeasurably.

One point and one goal from three games is all Shearer has to show for his efforts. They are certainly a more invigorated side under his leadership but the sorry return suggests he may yet fall short of Geordie expectations. They have slipped behind their rivals, and are now four points adrift of safety with just five games left.

Darren Bent's first-half goal was enough for Tottenham, who weathered a second-half siege to emerge with the points. Shearer remained optimistic in defeat, believing his side should have been awarded a penalty late in the game for Jonathan Woodgate's trip on Obafemi Martins.

Shearer said: "That's the way it goes, we can't change it now. I felt at the time it was a penalty but I haven't seen any replays. That's three decisions we haven't got in three games.

"I knew the size of the task going into it, knew the players were low on confidence and we had a lot injuries but I believed – and still believe – we have enough to get ourselves out of it. There's room to improve on everything, without a doubt. I'm enjoying the battle but I'd be enjoying it a hell of a lot more if we got some points."

The gamble of appointing such an inexperienced manager as Shearer was exposed in a chaotic first half for Newcastle. The visitors chopped and changed formations as they tried to contain Aaron Lennon without a recognised left-back in their squad. At times the players were confused, with Damien Duff and Jonas Gutierrez virtually covering the same blades of grass in a 10-minute spell. It was more mess than Messiah.

It came as no surprise when Tottenham opened the scoring, with a flowing move from one end of the pitch to the other. Luka Modric's pass to Robbie Keane was intercepted by Sébastien Bassong and the ricochet fell kindly to Darren Bent. His first shot was blocked by Newcastle keeper Steve Harper, but Bent was given another chance and made no mistake.

Often overlooked as a potential striker for England, Bent's record of 11 goals from 20 league starts this season indicates he could be worth a chance in the side. At least England manager Fabio Capello was in the stands to see his latest strike, although he did leave at half-time so he could make kick-off at Wembley. Tottenham lost defender Michael Dawson after 34 minutes, when he was taken off on a stretcher after damaging his ankle. Alan Hutton came on for his first game for five months and immediately settled back into affairs.

Newcastle looked much better after Shearer read the riot act in the interval. The rookie manager threw on Martins and Mark Viduka for the final half-hour, and almost managed to salvage a point. Martins had the ball in the net only for the referee to call play back for the Newcastle striker's inadvertent use of a hand. Shearer is desperate for a maximum nine points from Newcastle's three remaining home games, starting with the visit of Portsmouth. "We have to win those starting with next Monday," he said.

Thoughts of relegation for Tottenham now seem a long way away, as their sights are turned on a place in Europe. The manager, Harry Redknapp, said: "[Spurs chairman] Daniel Levy hadn't slept for weeks because he thought we were going to get relegated. I bet he's sleeping now."

Tottenham Hotspur (4-4-2): Gomes; Corluka, Dawson (Hutton, 34), Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Huddlestone, Palacios, Modric; Keane, Bent (Defoe, 75). Substitutes not used: Cudicini (gk), Bale, Zokora, Bentley, Campbell.

Newcastle United (3-5-2): Harper; Beye, S Taylor (Smith, h-t), Bassong; R Taylor, Nolan (Viduka, 61), Butt, Jonas, Duff; Owen, Carroll (Martins, 61). Substitutes not used: Krul (gk), Guthrie, Ameobi, Edgar.

Referee: M Halsey (Lancs).

Booked: Tottenham Assou-Ekotto; Newcastle R Taylor.

Man of the match: Palacios.

Attendance: 35,850.