Tottenham Hotspur's poor start to the season showed little sign of improving when they were beaten 3-1 by Newcastle United in the English Premier League at St James' Park in London [Images] on Monday.

Spurs, who have finished fifth for the last two seasons, remain in the bottom three after goals from Obafemi Martins, Claudio Cacapa and James Milner gave Newcastle a comfortable victory.

Newcastle stay in eighth place with 17 points from their nine matches, while Spurs languish in 18th with just seven points from their opening 10 matches.

Robbie Keane scored Tottenham's goal after 57 minutes with a tap from a rebound after Darren Bent hit the post to bring the score back to 2-1.

Martins opened the scoring on the stroke of halftime and Cacapa headed the second from a corner after 51 minutes, his first goal for Newcastle.

Milner wrapped up the points for Newcastle with a well-struck volley from the edge of the box 17 minutes from time to kill off any hopes of a Spurs comeback.

The defeat, which leaves Spurs with just one league win this season, increases the pressure on manager Martin Jol, who came close to losing his job earlier in the campaign.

The only clubs below Spurs are Derby County on six points and Bolton Wanderers on five.

Tottenham's arch-rivals Arsenal head the standings with 25 points from nine matches, having won their last 11 games in all competitions.