Newcastle have taken a big step towards Premier League safety with a 3-2 win over 10-man West Ham, after first-half blunders ensured the visitors missed a chance to solidify their top-four spot.
Joe Willock came off the bench to be the hero again on Saturday after heading in the winner just minutes after the Hammers had equalised through Jesse Lingard's penalty at St James' Park.
West Ham fell behind through Issa Diop's own-goal in the 36th minute with Craig Dawson subsequently being sent off for a second bookable offence that occurred in the buildup.
A Joelinton tap-in made it 2-0 five minutes later when goalkeeper Lucasz Fabianski fumbled an easy catch off a corner kick.
Diop's header in the 73rd minute cut the lead before Lingard, on loan from Manchester United, tied the match seven minutes later from the spot - his ninth goal in 10 games.
But the 21-year-old Willock's goal lifted Newcastle to 15th place, nine points above the relegation zone with six games remaining.
On loan from Arsenal, Willock also scored a late equaliser against Tottenham on April 4.
West Ham were looking for a third consecutive win but now their hold on fourth place - the final Champions League spot - is under threat.
The Hammers are just a point in front of Chelsea - they face each other next Saturday - and three points ahead of Liverpool. Those big-name clubs also have a game in hand.
"I wouldn't say it was a chance lost, it was an opportunity for us to pick up three points," West Ham manager David Moyes said. "We like talking about the Champions League, we love the sound of that when everybody says it, but we're realistic."
Australian Associated Press