Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez hopes his side can kick on after a thrilling 3-2 victory at West Ham ended a run of nine Premier League games without a win.
The result moved the Spaniard's side out of the relegation zone after they had slipped from sixth in October to 18th.
"It's difficult when you have a bad run," said the former Liverpool manager. "What was really important was to win, and to have a good performance against a good team.
"It is important not to be in the bottom three at any time, not just at Christmas."
Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez said: "We know it will be difficult to the end but we know that we can win and achieve things doing things as we are."
Benitez has not had the demeanour of a manager under pressure but, after a woeful run, he might have thought it was history repeating having gone down with Newcastle only two seasons ago.
His side are not out of danger, with a home fixture against runaway leaders Manchester City on 27 December followed by another against miserly Brighton, but this win will have given them renewed hope.
The Spaniard has reminded the media that Newcastle have been playing well recently and have just been unlucky. The fortune turned at London Stadium.