Leicester City and Hull City produced valuable victories over Burnley and Crystal Palace respectively to offer a major boost to their survival hopes.
Jamie Vardy’s goal on the hour mark proved to be the difference at Turf Moor, with Matt Taylor missing from the spot for a chance to equalise.
The result lifts Leicester to 17th, a point above Sunderland, while Burnley remain rooted to the bottom five points adrift of safety.
Two second half goals from Dame N’Doye ensured Hull victory at Selhurst Park, although they remain level on points with Leicester, occupying the place above thanks to goal difference.
While there was joy for two relegation-threatened teams, Newcastle risk getting dragged back into the mire after a 3-2 defeat to Swansea at St James’ Park.
Ayoze Perez opened the scoring for the hosts, before Nelson Oliveira, Guylfi Sigurdsson and Jack Cork ensured victory for Swansea.
Siem De Jong pulled one back for Newcastle, but it was too little too late.
Elsewhere, there was a 1-1 draw between Stoke and Suncerland, and stalemates between West Brom and Liverpool, and Queens Park Rangers and West Ham.
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