Steve Bruce is again under pressure at Newcastle United ahead of a takeover decision

And the result? A first Premier League win at St James’s Park in eight attempts.

Tottenham Hotspur won 3-1 on the eve of Steve Bruce’s one-year anniversary at St James’s Park.

Newcastle were bright with the ball, but once again undone by defensive mistakes.

Mourinho praised Steve Bruce and predicted a brighter future for Newcastle under new ownership before the behind-closed-doors game.

However, Bruce finds himself again under pressure ahead of a long-awaited Premier League decision on a proposed £300million takeover following a third successive defeat.

As always, Mourinho came out to look around the stadium long before his players took to the field for the warm-up.

Tottenham’s manager has long held the club in great affection given his links with Sir Bobby Robson, his mentor at Barcelona.

Mourinho has always been respectful when asked about Newcastle, and he gave a lengthy answer when asked about the club – and the proposed £300million takeover – ahead of the game.

“Hopefully, the takeover helps them to become an even bigger and better club,” said Mourinho.

“I think everyone knows through my emotional connection with Sir Bobby Robson, that Newcastle was always part of my life indirectly, because I worked for so many years with Sir Bobby, and Newcastle was a real passion for him.”

The stadium, however, just isn’t the same without the passion of the fans – and Bruce’s team are missing them at home.

Bruce, without injured captain Jamaal Lascelles and the ineligible Danny Rose, made three changes and recalled Nabil Bentaleb, Emil Krafth and DeAndre Yedlin to his starting XI. Matty Longstaff, seemingly heading for a summer exit, was again left on the bench.

There was a change in system, with Bruce reverting back to a three-man defence.

Newcastle made a promising start, Miguel Almiron had an early shot deflected wide, while Allan Saint-Maximin had a shot after a powerful run forward. Jonjo Shelvey also headed over from a superb Matt Ritchie cross.

And United were left to rue those chances in the 27th minute when the visitors took advantage from a mistake from Fabian Schar, back in defence after a forgettable two-game stint in midfield, to score.

Schar got himself into trouble with a bad touch while bringing the ball out, and the ball was worked to Son Heung-Min, who beat Martin Dubravka at his near post.

Tottenham took their advantage into the break after Gayle struck the post with a stooping header from a Shelvey cross.

Second-half substitute Valentino Lazaro had an immediate impact. Lazaro ran to the box and caused panic in the visiting defence in the 56th-minute. Serge Aurier swept the ball out to Ritchie, who took a touch before lashing an unstoppable shot past Hugo Lloris.

Tottenham, however, were level four minutes later. Harry Kane peeled off Krafth to head a Steven Bergwijn cross past Martin Dubravka.

Newcastle push for an equaliser, but Mourinho wasn’t going to let this victory slip, and Kane added a third goal after a quick break forward.

Schar left the field injured deep in added time.