Wait, so you're telling me there are two teams playing in this game this afternoon? I had no idea.

Tottenham's need for a win is not quite as severe as Newcastle's, but they could certainly do with one to keep the grumbling about Nuno Espirito Santo to a minimum.

Seven games in and the optimistic start has quickly given way to a wave of negativity about results and style of play.

However, they did go some way to putting that right in their last game before the international break - a 2-1 win over Aston Villa.

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce, speaking to Sky Sports about taking charge of his 1,000th game: "It [my first game] is a long time ago! To get there I found it very difficult to start with, I had four clubs in a couple of years, and I am still finding it very difficult now, so nothing has changed!

"In management for me it is a substitute for playing and that has always been the case for me. It has been a good substitute for it, not quite playing but how lucky am I to have gone 43 years (in football) unbroken."

On the takeover:

"I am delighted for everyone that the takeover has gone through. It badly needed it. That is no disrespect to the previous owners at all.

"I like to think I have played a little part in it by, it sounds ridiculous, keeping the club in the Premier League, which has enabled it to go through.

"Let's hope now there are exciting times ahead. This is what the club has badly, badly needed and wanted so let's try and enjoy it along the way."

On how the players have been:

"The players have trained well, you can tell there is a different atmosphere and a different vibe. Even outside the stadium now, I have just heard the supporters. It has been building up very nicely.

"I have been quietly pleased with some of our performances this year. I think we have deserved better, we will have to perform at our best to get something off a very good Tottenham team.

"We have had a difficult start, we have not won a game yet, we have been close. Let's hope it is the start and we can get three points on the board."

Challenge to keep players focused on the job this week?

"In amongst it all we have to be professional and get on with our jobs. It has been difficult there is no disputing that. There is an air of excitement which is different to the way it was maybe before. Let's hope they grasp it and really enjoy it."

Andy Reid
Ex-Republic of Ireland midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

I don't think the manager is important right now. Newcastle need to get a technical board in place; if they just keep appointing managers and changing philosophies, they'll waste a lot of money. If they can put a philosophy in place that filters down and hire a coach to implement it, it would save them millions and millions on recruitment. That is what they need.

Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

I feel sorry for Steve and his family. He is a fantastic guy, he's very open and honest. I know how much he wanted it to work. I think some of the things he has had to listen to in his two and a bit years in charge have been unfair in the circumstances, but I knew that would happen and that is why I didn't want him to take the job. He's had to take everything on at that football club, you never heard from the owner.

Don't listen to people who say Newcastle fans demand too much; they don't. They want hope, that is all. We all understand it will take time, when you look at Chelsea and Manchester City it has taken time, but eventually, because of their ambition, they'll get there.

Kevin Nolan
Former West Ham captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

This is the biggest thing, everyone said to sack him and bring this and that manager in. There was so much speculation but they have gone in and haven’t had a kneejerk reaction to what everyone is wanting. They have been clever, taken a deep breath and asked what is the best thing for the club at this time?

Steve Bruce is right for Newcastle at this time, whether he is in a few weeks’ time is another thing. Bruce is taking charge of his 1,000th game and I am glad he named a few. It has been disrespectful for someone who has been top figure in the English game as a player and manager. I have been a bit upset at how he has been treated by the media and some people, he has come out with dignity and pats on the back.

You can understand Steve Bruce feeling frustrated. But after 10 days of stories about him losing his job, he will stride out at St James' Park as United boss.

In his pre-match press conference this week said he hoped journalists "are feeling the heat from your bosses" following new part-owner Amanda Staveley's confirmation that he will stay in charge for Sunday's game against Tottenham.

Bruce, who will celebrate his 1,000th game as a manager this weekend, added he has spoken with the new owners and will "carry on until I hear otherwise".

Image source, Getty Images

Will he be boss? Won't he be boss? Steve Bruce has had to endure a lot of speculation this week. He's done so with a lot of dignity if you ask me. And his reward is to manage his 1,000th game today.

His son Alex says Bruce has been the "fall guy" at Newcastle and it has been "really tough to watch" the criticism directed at him.

Steve Bruce took the role at his boyhood club in 2019 but his son says he "has been battered since the moment he walked in the door".

"It's been tough. I wouldn't sit here and lie and say it hasn't, it's been really tough to watch the criticism," Alex Bruce told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"Since he took the job, I think the lack of respect that has been shown, considering he's done 1,000 games, has been unbelievable."

• Listen: Does Bruce deserve better? - Football Daily

Jonathan Woodgate
Former Newcastle and England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

When the owners of Chelsea took over, they brought some exceptional players at the time. But they had a John Terry, Frank Lampard behind but Newcastle have not got those players in the background. It is a huge rebuilding job. Spending money is not easy and if you get that wrong you are out of a job.

They are in a relegation battle, they have not won a game yet. They need to pick up momentum or they will get dragged into it. What type of manager do you look for then? There are so many ways this could go. So may fans are getting giddy but they are a million miles away at the moment.

Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

I think it is right and correct that tough questions are asked, but it is right that Newcastle fans can celebrate new owners coming in. (Saudi Arabia) already invest in our country, and I think what has happened and will continue is those big questions being asked. That can only be a good thing.

The Newcastle fans haven't had hope for so long. It has been survival mode, getting knocked out of the cups without trying, turning up in a game thinking 'here we go again', only going to it because that is what you do. They've now got a voice, they're going to be listened to, the communication from the club this week has been a million times better than it has been for 14 years.

OK, so most Newcastle fans probably only really care about the players that all that PIF money is now potentially going to be able to buy.

All manner of names have been bandied about, including that lad Mbappe. We've jumped on the bandwagon, tweeting out teams of players that have been linked over the last week, writing pieces and doing podcasts about how they can become a super-club. Jurgen Klopp has admitted they are now a "superpower", former player Jonathan Woodgate says they're dreaming if they think elite players will move to Newcastle, and more and more and more.

It's quite apt that today the Observer published a superb piece from Jay Rayner,, external in which he opts to get a kebab from Kebab Kid rather than blowing £1,450 on a steak wrapped in gold leaf at Nusr-Et Steakhouse in Knightsbridge. As Rayner points out, wrapping food in a a highly unreactive metal like gold may be decadent and shiny and offer a big statement, but it also makes it taste largely of nothing.

Jonathan Woodgate
Former Newcastle and England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

When I saw it, I was amazed, to be the richest club in the world now with billions of pounds and you saw the euphoria from the fans. It will not be easy but it is good for the Premier League - team from the lower part of the division has the money so let’s see what happens.

The way Steve Bruce has been treated has been disgusting. This is a manager with his 1000th game, that is a sign of a successful manager, the longevity in the game.

The owners will do their due diligence and this a massive moment for the football club, English, foreign, they will be looking at all the top managers. They have money to spend and every manager wants it. They have to get this decision right, it will take 10-12 years, they have to win the FA Cup, League Cup before the Premier League and Champions League.

Kevin Nolan
Former West Ham captain on BBC Radio 5 Live

It will haven be absolute mayhem. All the Christmases have come at once for all the supporters, you saw how many turned up on the day. It has been a long time coming, Mike Ashley said once he got his money it was theirs. He has left it in a great state financially and now the new owners can go out and spend serious money, we all presume they will.

Exciting times for the fans. I loved my two and half years there, my son Sonny was born there. It is a great place and great to see. I hope Sunday will be the start of good things to come for a fantastic place and club.

There has been a lot said about what Newcastle plan to do in the future, following their takeover by the Saudi Arabian-backed Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Infrastructure, a new manager, mega-star players (I've seen James Tarkowski linked) many, many trophies and the rest.

They really need to focus on the present right now, though. Currently in the Premier League's bottom three and without a win to their name in this league season, they could do with getting some points on the board ASAP. Otherwise, Kylian Mbappe could be turning out for them at Blackpool and Millwall next season.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Former Newcastle defender John Anderson:

"I've seen many ups and downs over the years at Newcastle. When we signed Alan Shearer, that was manic, when Kevin Keegan came back as manager, that was manic, but I've never seen anything like this week. It's been huge.

"The excitement, just to see a smile on people's faces. It had got to a stage where people were coming to St James' Park just for the sake of it, expecting to see a loss.

"They've got renewed hope now, renewed vigour."

We'll bring you all the reaction from that first game as soon as we get it. There's no time to waste, though.

To St James' Park...

Leon Osman
Former Everton midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

When you're missing your top strikers in Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison, it's bound to take its toll.

Everton have been okay defensively today and they've shown their pace on the counter and quality in the wide areas, but no finishing touch.

Angelo Ogbonna's header from a corner seals the points.

West Ham just about deserved it on balance of play.

Image source, Getty Images

It is headed over by Ben Godfrey. That's your lot.

Everton have a corner. Jordan Pickford is heading up for it. Time is up.