Newcastle United are now top of the Premier League form table after their narrow but deserved win over Brighton & Hove Albion at St James' Park with fans celebrating an important win in the city centre tonight.
The Magpies stretched their unbeaten run to eight games and they are ahead of Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea when it comes to recent results, although nobody will be getting too carried away with the job of securing survival for next season still not completed. Or at least that was the preferred approach for cautious but sensible head coach Eddie Howe after Newcastle's 2-1 win against the Seagulls!
On a day in which Newcastle put seven points between themselves and Burnley - who were beaten 4-0 at home to Chelsea - everything was looking rosy in the garden for the black and whites.
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Newcastle take big step to early survival party
It's hard to believe we are living in the same season that at one stage we were told United were doomed. No team had ever survived such a bad start to a Premier League season than this, that's what the history books said.
And pundits warned that Newcastle also wouldn't be able to buy their way out of trouble - but they are on course to survive and a seven-point cushion means that United are close to getting this done with time to spare. I wrote before the game that it could even be done before Easter Sunday, unthinkable not too long ago. As a guide, it's worth noting that 29 points last season would have been enough to keep a team up, before that it's been 34 or 35 points. So Newcastle - who sit on 28 points - could only require two more wins to do the job.
For the record, a clutch of bookies are no longer taking bets on Newcastle to stay up while Sky Bet were offering 1/100 and Bet Victor 1/66. These are good signs and any fears of a late season struggle to clinch that top-flight place are now
Dan Burn well and truly living the dream
The big man was outstanding again at the back for the Magpies as he kept his old side at bay. Burn's intel on the day's opponents Brighton was crucial to this victory as he marshalled the defence and made some perfectly timed interventions. And watching Brighton chief executive Paul Barber knew it as the Seagulls endured another blow from their Premier League rivals, having already lost Burn, Dan Ashworth and now three important points. But perhaps the best moment of the day was captured by the TV cameras for the Geordie centre-back.
Don't forget this is a fella who grew up at his parent's house with the Newcastle crest emblazoned on his front door at his home in Blyth. Therefore it was no surprise after Burn spotted family members that he jumped into the crowd and embraced the moment. United have players who not only have Premier League knowhow like Burn, but also players that are fighting for the badge.
Significant moment as club's co-owners head to dressing room to congratulate players
Newcastle players celebrated wildly just after 5pm last night after a crucial 2-1 win over Brighton made it eight matches unbeaten. The Magpies no longer look like a ship without a captain in that sense.
Where once, there would be no feedback from the powers that be whether the team won, lost or drew, Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi, as well as Yasir Al-Rumayyan have been there to encourage the squad. Under previous management it may have simply been at the end of the season or over a once in a blue moon pizza night.
But against Cambridge, in defeat, those from the boardroom encouraged the team - and they were there once again to share the moment with the players. It's got to be a good sign.
The scary - but exciting - thing about Newcastle United
United's fantastic run of form started with the arrival of Kieran Trippier but the injured vice-captain has been watching on with a foot injury in recent games. However, he will be back and can only improve fortunes on the field for Newcastle.
The current X1 can get better before the end of the season and the long-term situation isn't looking too bad either, no wonder Sir John Hall, watching from the stands against Brighton, had a wry smile on his face.
The club is on a great run again and in the best form for over a decade and when they were 2-0 up after 15 minutes it was easy to get carried away as it felt like the Kevin Keegan era in the early 90s. Back then teams would be ticked off before half-time and with Newcastle three or four up chants of "Easy, easy, easy" would emerge from the Gallowgate End.
But if you did need a reminder that the team aren't quite at that level just yet. Although, they could be in the next phase of development as Newcastle will be looking to add more players of Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes' ilk in the summer.
This could be a great time to be a Newcastle fan and as many fans return after walking away during Mike Ashley's tenure, the buzz on the streets of the city is well and truly back. Drink it in, fans have waited a long time for this.
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