NEWCASTLE CLIMBED TO fourth in the Premier League after Moussa Sissoko’s second half strike clinched a 1-0 win over QPR on Saturday.
Sissoko’s goal 12 minutes from time at St James’ Park was enough to give Alan Pardew’s revitalised side their sixth successive win just weeks after they looked destined for another season of struggle.
Pardew’s men have not conceded a goal in 432 minutes and will be starting to dream of securing a place in European competition next season.
However, there was heartache for Newcastle’s Ryan Taylor, starting his first Premier League game in 993 days after two serious knee injuries, when he limped off in tears after suffering another injury in the first half.
Newcastle took the points in the 78th minute when Sammy Ameobi unlocked the QPR defence with a cute pass to Sissoko, who collected it before spinning and hammering in a rising drive from 15 yards into the top corner.
Meanwhile, Leon Osman ensured his 400th Everton appearance was one to savour as he scored the decisive goal in their 2-1 Premier League victory over West Ham United on Saturday.
Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku had put the Toffees ahead in the first half before Mauro Zarate equalised for the Hammers 11 minutes into the second period.
But 33-year-old midfielder Osman helped Roberto Martinez’s side collect all three points when he finished off an Everton counter-attack from close range in the 73rd minute.
In Stoke Danny Ings’ quickfire double earned Burnley a second successive Premier League win as they held on to defeat Stoke City 2-1 on Saturday.
The England Under-21 striker netted twice in as many minutes in the opening quarter of an hour as Sean Dyche’s side made a flying start at the Britannia Stadium.
Those goals sparked Stoke into action, as the hosts poured forward for the remainder of the game, managing to pull one back through Jonathan Walters shortly after the half-hour mark.
Also today Leicester City and Sunderland played out a scoreless draw, leaving The Foxes without a Premier League goal in 450 minutes of football.
