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Chelsea have eased scrutiny on manager Mauricio Pochettino after Monday’s 3-2 win over Newcastle put the Blues back in contention for next season’s European football.
Nicholas Jackson, Cole Palmer and Mykhailo Mudryk scored for the home team at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea remain in 11th place, but are within four points of seventh-placed West Ham and should at least secure a spot in the Europa Conference League.
It was Newcastle’s 12th defeat of the season, leaving the Magpies one point behind Chelsea in 10th place.
Pressure is also mounting on Eddie Howe, with Saudi Arabia-backed Newcastle failing to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years after finishing fourth last season.
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However, Pochettino faced a more open revolt among his own supporters.
Chelsea fans demanded the Argentine be sent off during last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Brentford.
The former Tottenham manager has had a difficult first season in charge, including losing to a badly depleted Liverpool in last month’s League Cup final.
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But there were encouraging signs for Pochettino, with some of his much-criticized and expensive young players showing glimpses of their potential.
Jackson expertly flicked in Palmer’s shot less than six minutes later, taking his tally to 12 in his debut season.
However, the story of this season was that Chelsea were unable to build on that strong start, with Newcastle in control for the remainder of the first half.
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The visiting team lost Anthony Gordon to the game midway through the first period with an injury.
However, Alexander Isak produced a quality finish with a low shot into the far corner to put Newcastle level two minutes before half-time.
Palmer is one of the new signings Chelsea will rely on all season, and the England international restored his team’s lead in strong fashion just before time expired.
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Palmer collected Enzo Fernandes’ pass, cut inside and fired home a powerful shot for his 11th Premier League goal of the season.
Mudryk, by contrast, has been a constant source of frustration for many Chelsea managers since arriving for £88 million ($113 million) just over a year ago.
The Ukrainian was on the pitch for just five minutes and showed his blistering speed to break through the heart of the Newcastle defense and score just his sixth goal in 46 appearances for Chelsea. .
Jacob Murphy’s rocket into the top corner produced a nervous finish for the hosts.
But it was too little, too late for visitors left disappointed with recent underwhelming campaigns.
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