It's actually not because Manchester City were ahead but at this stage of the season, it's when we will start knowing the serious teams because they will do anything to make sure they are in the top 4. Tottenham Hotspur is one of the most unserious teams I have come across in the league. Tottenham and Newcastle are in the same bracket of unserious and inconsistent teams in my books. They will disappoint you in the moment you think they are having a head way and want to achieve something meaningful.
Newcastle used to be a mid table team in the past few years before their new owners took over. Remember Newcastle were a team that usually battle relegation at this stage of the season before the new owners came in. For me Newcastle are just doing well especially now that they are regular finisher in the top 10 teams, in the premier league. Check very well you will see that Newcastle haven't really made some major signings for the past two transfers windows, due to financial fair play rules. Yet they are up there competing. And still fighting for European spot. How many of the big teams in the premier League will survive very well without signing players in two transfer windows? So in my opinion Newcastle are doing fine. They are far ahead of Tottenham who have been signing players yet they keep getting worse. Tottenham are the biggest disappointment.