Newcastle United have moved into fifth position in the Premier League table courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Everton at St James' Park.

Eddie Howe's side have now won three of their last four league matches and are unbeaten since the end of August, and their strong form has left them just two points off a Champions League spot.

Everton, meanwhile, sit 15th in the table on 10 points, just one point outside the relegation zone.

Newcastle had the first chance of the match in the eighth minute when Jacob Murphy broke into a shooting position before unleashing one towards goal, but his effort flew just wide of the target.

The next opportunity did not arrive until the 26th minute, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin rising high to meet a cross from Demarai Gray, but the Englishman's attempt was over the crossbar.

Newcastle made the breakthrough in the 31st minute, and it was a brilliant finish from Miguel Almiron, who picked out the far corner of the net with a curling finish after being found by Bruno Guimaraes.

The Magpies were dominant in the period that followed, with Guimaraes just missing the target with a strike in the 32nd minute, before Everton stopper Jordan Pickford was forced to make a smart save from Almiron.

Guimaraes had another effort late in the first period, but the Brazilian's effort flew wide of Pickford's post, with the two teams separated by one goal at the interval.

Almiron had an opportunity to score his second in the 54th minute, but the attacker fired wide of the target under pressure.

Newcastle had another big chance to score in the 82nd minute when Fabian Schar met a corner from Kieran Trippier, but Pickford was on hand to make a smart save, before Joe Willock missed an opportunity late on.

Everton could not find a response in the latter stages, though, with the Magpies securing another impressive result following their goalless draw with Manchester United at the weekend. body check tags ::