West Bromwich Albion's slim hopes of Premier League survival remain alive thanks to a 1-0 win over Newcastle United at St James' Park this afternoon.
The Baggies made it four games without defeat since Darren Moore took charge thanks to Matt Phillips's first-half strike, lifting them to within five points of safety.
Just a second win in 16 attempts away at Newcastle is only half the job done for Albion, though, as they also require Swansea City to lose at home to Chelsea in the day's late kickoff.
With momentum on their side following their recent unbeaten streak, a previously down-and-out Albion side went with an unchanged starting lineup in the North-East.
A slow start to the contest saw the sides manage a shot apiece in the opening quarter - James McClean dragging wide of the far post and Dwight Gayle forcing Ben Foster into a fairly routine save.
The breakthrough arrived just short of the half-hour mark, as matchwinner Phillips controlled Jake Livermore's smart pass inside Paul Dummett and rifled it past Martin Dubravka with his second touch.
Newcastle were unable to find the killer final ball for large parts of the opening 45 minutes, but it was the hosts who created the better chances heading into the interval.
Kenedy had just Foster to beat after exchanging passes with Ayoze Perez, but his outside-of-the-boot shot clipped the post and went out for a goal kick.
A slightly trickier opening was then wasted by Mohamed Diame, who lifted the ball over the crossbar, though from the resulting corner Gayle headed goalwards and Foster produced a sublime save from point-blank range.
In an open start to the second period, Jay Rodriguez miscued his volley after being picked out by Phillips on the penalty spot in another warning for the hosts.
Rafael Benitez responded by bringing on Jacob Murphy for Dummett in a slight change of system, yet it was proving to be a familiar tale for the Magpies as they struggled to find any sort of rhythm.
Rondon blasted wide from a good position and Chris Brunt was a little closer with his shot from range, with Albion - the worst team in the division for holding onto a lead - looking comfortable heading into the final 20 minutes.
Newcastle were fortunate not to be a man light for the closing stages after substitute Islam Slimani booted the leg of Craig Dawson, which will likely bring a retrospective ban and an end to his United loan spell.
There was to be no late drama at St James' Park, however, meaning that West Brom's eight-year stay in the top flight is prolonged by at least another couple of hours.
NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-4-1-1): Dubravka; Yedlin, Lascelles, Lejeune, Dummett (Murphy 58'); Ritchie, Shelvey, Diame, Kenedy; Perez (Joselu 78'); Gayle (Slimani 65')
WEST BROMWICH ALBION (4-4-1-1): Foster; Nyom, Dawson, Hegazi, Gibbs; Phillips, Livermore, Brunt, McClean (Evans 90'); Rodriguez (Krychowiak 77'); Rondon (Robson-Kanu 94')
Daniel Lewis
