Newcastle collected what could be a priceless three points in their bid to retain top-flight status on Sunday, thanks to the interventions of super sub Allan Saint-Maximin.

The Frenchman was introduced just before the hour with his side trailing to a first half strike from Matej Vydra, almost immediately teeing up Jacob Murphy to drive home a fine equaliser.

And within five minutes, Saint-Maximin had jinked forward to fire in a solo effort reminiscent of the one against the Clarets on Tyneside back in October.

That set the yellow-clad visitors on their way to a first win in eight attempts; Burnley a continual threat from corners but grateful to James Tarkowski for a late goal-line clearance that denied Miguel Almiron a third.

And while the plaudits rightly went to ASM, goalkeeper Martin Dubravka's contribution was invaluable - not least in preventing Paul Dummett from netting an OG that would have given Burnley a crucial 2-0 interval lead.

With Jamaal Lascelles added to an injury list already including Isaac Hayden and Fabian Schar, United retained the 3-5-2 structure that they began with in last weekend's 2-2 home draw with Spurs.

While the wing backs were unchanged  Dummett found himself flanked by Ciaran Clark and Federico Fernandez - the latter returning after a 13 game absence.

Steve Bruce resisted the temptation to alter the rest of the line-up, fit-again Callum Wilson joining Saint-Maximin on the bench as Joelinton and Dwight Gayle were given another chance up top.

The opening half hour verged on the shambolic for a United side struggling to pass the ball and looked ill at ease when coping with the expected aerial threat of the hosts. Given the food-related quotes from Friday's press call, it's fair to say that we were making a meal of being in the lunchtime slot...

Dubravka had already made a noteworthy block from the first of multiple corners before Burnley pushed down their left and Chris Wood drew Clark and Fernandez before pulling the ball back for Vydra to fire in the opening goal.

The first stirrings of a Magpie revival came when Gayle supplied a close range finish that didn't count due to an apparent offside - although footage of the visiting bench watching reruns suggested that it was rather less clear cut than it seemed on first inspection.

From a similar position Gayle then saw an effort blocked by Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Sean Longstaff taking a boot in the head from Tarkowski as he got to the rebound.

A VAR check was called for what looked like dangerous play, but no penalty was awarded - insult added to injury in the second half when an identical challenge on Longstaff in the centre circle was penalised by a free kick award.

United reappeared for the second period with no changes, but a lack of progress soon saw Wilson and ASM replace the front pair - the latter supplying a pull back from the right hand byline for Murphy to level.

Captain Jonjo Shelvey then supplied a forward pass from his own half that  ASM seized on; a clutch of defenders fatally standing off the man in the yellow jersey as he jinked forwards and tucked the ball between the 'keeper and his left hand post. One can only imagine the scenes of delight that goal would have prompted in the adjacent away section in normal circumstances.

The win leaves Newcastle six points clear of third-bottom Fulham with a game in hand, level on points with Brighton and just one behind Sean Dyche's side.

Given the sequence of games that now follow for United - facing four of the current top six - victory here was absolutely pivotal to our survival hopes. The job is by no means done, but things look a damn sight brighter than they did at half time here.

And for a global audience of Toon followers, there was a welcome chance to savour the success of their own team - rather than cheering on the exploits of whoever is playing against bloody Brighton or Fulham - hardly an unreasonable expectation.

Biffa