Joe Willock put two glaring misses behind him to send a dominant Newcastle on their way to a deserved 2-0 win over a toothless Manchester United and third place in the table.
Newcastle midfielder Willock saw one huge opportunity saved by David de Gea on the floor before blazing another effort over before half-time, but he responded with the opener on 65 minutes by heading in from close range after a slick move from the hosts.
Substitute Callum Wilson then put the icing on the cake, heading in a second from a set-piece with three minutes to go to bring Champions League football next season a little closer to St James’ Park.
In truth, the Magpies should have put more past Erik ten Hag’s side, who started Marcus Rashford after he missed international duty with England but only managed one shot on target in a limp display.
The result also means Manchester United could slide down to fifth in the Premier League table should Tottenham avoid defeat at Everton on Monday Night Football, though Spurs would have played two games more than their top-four rivals.