Newcastle United have fallen to 17th in the Premier League table after Brighton and Hove Albion beat Southampton 2-1 at St Mary's on Sunday.
The win lifted Graham Potter's men up to 16th place, one point above the Magpies who could only draw with Aston Villa on Friday evening.
Luckily for Steve Bruce's side, 18th placed Fulham were beaten 3-0 by Manchester City on Saturday meaning Newcastle will end the weekend two points clear of the relegation zone, with 10 matches remaining.
Brighton took the lead after a quarter of an hour through Lewis Dunk. Fraser Forster made a fine save to keep out Neal Maupay's shot but he was beaten from the resulting corner by Dunk's towering header.
Saints pulled themselves level when Dunk could only help Ryan Bertrand's header into the path of Che Adams, who was lurking alone at the far post to volley home.
But in the 56th minute Brighton went back in front after Leandro Trossard converted Danny Welbeck's lay-off to secure a vital win for the Seagulls.
It compounds the importance of next Saturday's clash between Brighton and Newcastle as the Magpies look to pull clear of the drop zone heading into March's international break.
However, they could kick off against Brighton in the bottom three as Fulham take on Leeds United at Craven Cottage on Friday evening.
United make the long journey south to the AMEX Stadium with just two wins in their last 19 matches and without star players Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin through injury.
However, Newcastle are hopeful Miguel Almiron will be fit for the trip to Sussex with the Paraguay international holding an outside chance of returning to action.
