The Republic of Ireland international played a fabulous one-two with Mark Viduka then kept his composure to slot the ball past Heurelho Gomes.

Charles N’Zogbia gave Newcastle the lead when he collected a long pass from Shay Given and fired in.

Luka Modric equalised when he ran on to a Michael Dawson ball and sent his low effort past Given.

Newcastle’s second successive win means they are now unbeaten in six and four points clear of a relegation zone they have been flirting with since the start of the season.

Newcastle took the lead when Michael Owen was put through by Jonas Gutierrez and the striker doubled the lead with a tap-in from an Obafemi Martins cross.

Stoke improved after the break and halved the deficit after Mamady Sidibe converted Ricardo Fuller’s square ball.

And in the 90th minute the visitors drew level when Faye tapped-in from a Glenn Whelan free-kick.

It was only Stoke’s third point away from home and although their search for a first Premier League win away from the Britannia Stadium continues, manager Tony Pulis can take heart from his side’s much-improved second-half display.

Andy Johnson rewarded the hosts’ bright start when he lashed home from 16 yards following Claudio Cacapa’s error.

But the Magpies rallied and, after Damien Duff had hit a post, Shola Ameobi fired them level from six yards.

However, Fabricio Coloccini’s foul on Johnson gave Murphy the chance to win it from the spot, and he duly obliged.

Barton – starting his first match since his release from prison – scored from the spot after 10 minutes following Ryan Donk’s foul on Shola Ameobi.

And Martins headed home Habib Beye’s cross three minutes before half-time.

Substitute Ishmael Miller pulled one back after the break, but West Brom could not make their pressure count.

Djibril Cisse showed great reactions to put Sunderland ahead when he steered in Steed Malbranque’s shot-cum-cross.

Shola Ameobi’s powerful header from Geremi’s fine free-kick drew Joe Kinnear’s men level before the break.

But Richardson crashed home the winner with a ferocious 18-yard strike after Nicky Butt fouled El-Hadji Diouf.

Mikel Arteta’s penalty gave Everton a deserved lead before Marouane Fellaini made it two with a neat finish.

Steven Taylor inspired Newcastle’s comeback, heading in on the stroke of half-time, and then crossing for Damien Duff to equalise after the break.

Defender Samba headed in Carlos Villanueva’s free-kick from close range to give Blackburn a deserved lead.

And Cruz doubled the score when he headed home Brett Emerton’s cross.

Newcastle produced a spirited fightback after the break and scored through a Michael Owen penalty but Geremi missed a great chance to equalise.

Caretaker coach Chris Hughton was in charge at St James’ Park with Joe Kinnear, installed as a shock interim manager on Friday, watching from the stands before he takes the reins on Monday

In front of a 20,577 crowd at St James’ Park, both teams showed their fragile confidence in a poor first-half.

Spurs did not offer much, but they did manage to take a 62nd-minute lead when unmarked Roman Pavlyuchenko headed in.

Four minutes later, Jamie O’Hara capitalised on a Newcastle error while Michael Owen scored in vain late on.

Spurs and Newcastle, lying bottom and second-bottom of the Premier League table respectively, both stressed the importance of the game in terms of the impact it could have in kick-starting their season.

His first was deflected off Steven Taylor and the second was a follow-up after Shay Given blocked his shot.

West Ham eased off after di Michele set up a third for Matthew Etherington and they were soon made to pay for it.

Robert Green was beaten by Michael Owen and then had to make two point-blank saves as Newcastle rallied but West Ham held on to keep their 100% home record.

The Hammers went into the match on a run of nine games against Newcastle without a win, but began confidently and took the lead on eight minutes.

Marlon King scored his first goal for Hull from the penalty spot after Nicky Butt needlessly fouled Peter Halmosi.

King doubled the Tigers’ advantage from 16 yards with a precise finish, while Xisco struck for the Magpies after a Charles N’Zogbia shot hit the post.

Danny Guthrie saw red at the end for a shocking tackle on Craig Fagan.