Steve Bruce’s Sunday lunch was almost spoilt last weekend when Aleksandar Mitrovic scored for Fulham to temporarily consign Newcastle to the relegation zone.
But the Magpies were back out again by the time Bruce was getting stuck into his “apple pie and custard” thanks to Aston Villa’s 3-1 victory.
This Sunday, it was Allan Saint-Maximin who served up a treat as he scored and set up a goal in a 2-1 over Burnley which puts Newcastle six points clear of danger.
On a freezing day where Turf Moor was surrounded by April snow, it felt like a decisive turning point in Newcastle’s season which has lurched from one crisis to another.
In addition to the overhanging prospect of a takeover, there has been a coronavirus outbreak, injuries to several key players, leaks from the training ground, accusations of Bruce losing the dressing room and bans for local journalists.
For many fans who have grown tired of Bruce and the way his team plays, it felt like the team was “sleepwalking to relegation” as the Newcastle United Supporters’ Trust described it.
