NEWCASTLE 1 HUDDERSFIELD 0 (Perez)
Dubravka, Yedlin, Lascelles, Lejeune, Dummett, Ritchie (Atsu 67), Shelvey, Diamé (Hayden 79), Kenedy, Pérez, Gayle (Slimani 75)
Subs: Clark, Murphy, Manquillo, Darlow
Newcastle United were deserved winners against fellow relegation-threatened Huddersfield Town, who won the reverse fixture by the same scoreline way back in August.
With talk that a win for either club would almost guarantee safety, the only goal of the game could prove to be worth more than £100m.
That is the price of safety in today's Premier League.
Newcastle have found stability in their recent form, and a dominant performance almost denied them the warranted victory. But a well worked and composed goal in the 80th minute meant that the Magpies eventually ended up with the three points – meaning that’s 13 points in the last ten games.
They now sit in 12th place with 35 points and a decent goal difference of -9, which is actually the 9th best in the league.
40 points is regarded as the cut off point, but one more win will surely see United playing in the top flight next season.
Huddersfield have become all too familiar with drawing blanks this season (18 in total), and the current barren run will need to end pretty instantly if they want to stay up. Four games have passed since they last scored and this goal draught could spell disaster for a team just three points above the relegation zone.
They didn’t register a shot on target at St James' Park. A 1-0 defeat rather flattered the West Yorkshire outfit and, with an incredibly tough run incoming, their fans will be disappointed by the performance.
With the World Cup excitement starting to reverberate around the football world, Jonjo Shelvey must wonder what he needs to do to be considered.
He pulled off another top performance on Saturday. With only six national caps under his belt, he doesn’t have the international experience England’s other midfielders have, but perhaps he just needs the chance to confront the big stage.
Early June will be the last chance for Southgate to give Shelvey a “test-run” for England, when the Lions take on Nigeria and Costa Rica in home friendlies. But we all know it won't happen.
With seven Newcastle matches remaining, we are fast approaching the tense final stage of the campaign. But Newcastle are in touching distance of survival – with their final fixtures presenting some very winnable matches.
The Terriers however will have their work cut out for them during the next month. The next two games against Brighton and Watford are absolutely crucial.
Personally I think West Brom and Southampton are gone. The Saints were the worst team we have seen this season at St James' Park and I think Stoke are battling with Huddersfield and Crystal Palace to stay out of that third from bottom spot.