After another successful weekend, Newcastle have suddenly climbed to a lofty 14th place in the Premier League table, easing recent fears of relegation
It’s an ascent of three places for the Toon, and fans are feeling both relieved and positive about the club’s future.
It was only last week that they sat just one spot above the bottom three, courtesy of their superior goal difference.
But it’s important the team doesn’t get carried away with their current form.
Because although in a much better position after two wins, they are still in the fight for survival this season.
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The weekend’s results mostly went in the Toon’s favour and even then the bottom of the table is still agonisingly close.
There is a mere point between 14th and 18th place which means Newcastle are still heavily reliant on other teams’ forms in their relegation fight.
And worryingly, many of the other strugglers are hanging on despite the Toon’s victories.
The teams gaining form in the relegation battle
Huddersfield
Two weeks ago, Huddersfield were in the exact same situation as Newcastle.
Both teams hadn’t won any of their opening 10 fixtures and things looked dire.
But unfortunately for Newcastle, their recent efforts have been mostly matched by The Terriers.
They beat Fulham in an important bottom of the table clash and were unlucky not to record another win against West Ham.
Having led 1-0 for most of the game, they were denied another victory by a late Felipe Anderson goal.
The draw sees them now sitting in 19th with seven points, but had they held on they would have jumped to 16th.
Much like Newcastle, they have an easier run of games in the run up to Christmas and so if they can keep up their form, they will likely keep up with the pack.
Cardiff
Cardiff also sealed a vital victory this weekend against Brighton.
It was their second win of the campaign and saw them draw level on points with Crystal Palace and Southampton (eight).
They were perhaps lucky to win the game, scoring a 90th minute winner through Sol Bamba and benefiting from a Dale Stephens red card in the 34th minute.
But like Huddersfield, Cardiff are heading towards some more favourable fixtures.
They have plenty of mid-table sides to play before Christmas, and they’ll be hoping to nick some points off those sides.
Cardiff are still one of the poorest sides in the league, but there’s no reason why they can’t gain confidence from this victory.
The teams losing momentum in the relegation battle
Fulham
Fulham are looking dead and buried at the bottom of the table with five points.
They’ve conceded a whopping 31 goals in 12 games and their defensive woes aren’t looking like improving.
Their previously high performing forwards are also starting to lose steam.
A goal by Mitrovic was wrongly chalked offside against Liverpool, but the striker hasn’t found the net in six games now.
The last time the striker led the line for a full season was at Newcastle. His lack of goals arguably helped see them relegated in 2016 and Fulham could go the same way.
The Cottagers are in danger of being left behind if they don’t pick up their form.
Crystal Palace
Despite a strong start, Palace have now not won a match in seven games.
They are actually level on points with 18th placed Cardiff. Their superior goal difference is the only thing keeping them up the table.
Injuries to Christian Benteke have seen them without firepower this season.
They are completely reliant on winger Wilfried Zaha and when he doesn’t score, they don’t win.
For the past two seasons, Palace have had to perform the great escape under Sam Allardyce and then Roy Hodgson.
But they’ve failed to strengthen their squad and much like Newcastle, they’re pushing their luck.
With Man United their next fixture, Palace may well drop into the bottom three soon.