Chelsea eased the pressure on manager Graham Potter with a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace while Newcastle beat Fulham 1-0 late on to move up to third in the Premier League on Sunday.
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Kai Havertz scored the only goal at Stamford Bridge with a towering second-half header as Chelsea paid tribute to former player and manager Gianluca Vialli.
The Italian great died earlier this month at the age of 58 from pancreatic cancer.
Several of Vialli’s former Chelsea teammates joined players from both sides of the pitch for a minute’s silence, while home fans unfurled banners with Vialli’s image against the background of the Italian flag.
Action on the pitch was also overshadowed by the official announcement during the first half that Chelsea had completed the signing of Mykhailo Mudryk for a fee that could rise to 100 million euros (£88 million, $108 million).
The former Shakhtar Donetsk winger was presented at half-time draped in the Ukrainian flag with the move set to take Chelsea’s spending in the first season under the ownership of Todd Boehly’s consortium in excess of £400 million.
There hasn’t been much to show for that investment so far, but Potter’s injured squad did enough to win twice in 10 league games.
Havertz made the breakthrough when he rose highest to head home Hakim Ziyech’s cross from a fine corner in the 64th minute.
Chelsea still needed some heroics from goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to see the game out as the Spaniard saved from Cheick Doucoure’s volley sweetly.
“The crowd was great. They knew when we came in, they knew the young players on the field, and they stuck with guys and got to the line,” Potter said.
Despite a much-needed win, Chelsea remain 10 points off the top four after Newcastle kept their title dreams alive at St. James’ Park.
– Super sub Isak –
The Magpies were let off when Aleksandar Mitrovic saw a second-half penalty miss out on his former club for a double touch on the ball.
The Serbian dunked as he took the spot kick and his right-footed effort deflected off his left foot into the net.
Newcastle took full advantage as club record signing Alexander Isak came off the bench to lead the champions minutes from time.
Isak has now scored three goals in four Premier League appearances, but finally returned in September due to injury.
“The goal was a special moment,” Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said.
“Very happy with Alex. You want to go to a new club and he did it before the injury. He has to wait and watch the team do well in his absence. He has worked hard. For these moments, the work is worth it.
The win moves Newcastle back above Manchester United into third in the table on goal difference and within six points of leaders Arsenal.
The Gunners can move eight points clear at the top if they win the north London derby away to Tottenham on Sunday.