12 May 2009

Newcastle beat Middlesbrough 3-1 to grab lifeline

4:17 pm on 12 May 2009

Newcastle United have grabbed a Premier League football lifeline with a 3-1 home win over fellow relegation strugglers Middlesbrough.

Newcastle's first win at home this year edges them out of the drop zone on 34 points, above Hull City on goal difference.

But after their 11th away loss in a row Middlesbrough look set to go down as they remain second-last on 31 points with West Bromwich Albion.

Newcastle's last two games are at home to Fulham and away to Aston Villa while Middlesbrough host Villa before finishing at West Ham United.

Hull have been in freefall since January and finish with a visit to Bolton Wanderers before hosting Manchester United.

West Brom have won two of their last three games and host Liverpool then go to Blackburn Rovers.