Newcastle 2-0 Chelsea: Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes fire Eddie Howe's Champions League hopefuls third against 10-man Chelsea

Newcastle United took a giant step towards booking their spot in next season's UEFA Champions League with a nervy 2-0 win over fellow European hopefuls Chelsea that sees them move third top of the Premier League table.

Eddie Howe's side struck the opener on two minutes with Sando Tonali converting Jacob Murphy's cross as Chelsea struggled to cope with the early movement of the home side in the heat of St James' Park.

The visitors looked doomed when Nicolas Jackson was red carded following a VAR review for an ill-advised late elbow on the face of Sven Botman on 35 minutes, but Enzo Maresca's men dug deep in the second half.

They had plenty of the ball in the second period, and could have struck a late equaliser when Reece James headed over seconds before a deflected finish by Bruno Guimaraes looped over visiting goalkeeper Robert Sanchez on 90 minutes.

The win sees them move a point above Manchester City into third place and three clear of Chelsea, who remain in fifth, ahead of Aston Villa on goal difference with two matches remaining of the campaign.

With the top five set to secure Champions League spots, Nottingham Forest will move back above Chelsea and Villa by a point with a home win over Leicester later on Sunday.

Sandro Tonali on his early goal: "We spoke before the game about making a fast start and I think we did that. This win is so important for us," he told TNT Sports.

"I like to score at St James’ Park, but I was a little bit lucky on the goal."

Dan Burn on the importance of the win: "We said that the [League Cup] final was our biggest game, but this was the next one.

"Sometimes it’s harder when they go down to 10 men. You feel like you should dominate, but there’s always that little bit of you that doesn’t want to let them back into it.

"The crowd were a bit nervy and we felt a bit nervy. But listen...I thought we did really well to see the game out."

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It is a 2-0 win in the end for Newcastle, who scored early and late on with Nicolas Jackson sent off before the break for Chelsea. They are up to third in the table with a vital 2-0 victory, one clear of Manchester City in third spot and three ahead of Chelsea.

Newcastle fans in party mood. Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak are off and on come Sean Longstaff and Callum Wilson.

A couple of bookings with Emil Krafth and Colwill both picking up yellow cards, but this match is a done deal with Chelsea's race for the day.

Surely game, set and match as Bruno Guimarães sees a shot from distance take a wicked deflection and fly over the helpless Sanchez in the home goal. 2-0 to Newcastle, who have rode their luck in this second half.

James arriving right on cue in the home box, but he nods over the bar from the Guston cross. What a chance that was. Looked easier to hit the target. "It is really nervy here," comments Ally McCoist.

Bruno Guimaraes showing a fair bit of interest in his fellow captain Enzo Fernandez, and he is yellow carded for a late challenge. Newcastle fans trying to will their side over the line here.

"That is a good, good save," says Ally McCoist on TNT Sports. "It's a big hand that. Lovely switch by Neto to create the opening. You can feel the nerves in this ground."

Some excellent passing play by the 10 men to pin Newcastle back. Pope with a fine stop to nudge the finish by Enzo Fernandez over the bar after he was set up by Sancho.

Sancho showing some very nice skills. Twisting and turning before laying ball off to Palmer, but he hoists the cross straight out of play. Cue the mocking jeers by home fans.

Lovely pass by Livramento to pick out Barnes on the run, but he takes a heavy first touch and Sanchez is out to collect. A better touch and he was in on goal.

Jadon Sancho and Malo Gusto arrives as Trevoh Chalobah and Romeo Lavia depart the scene. Time perhaps for Maresca to force the issue in search for a point from this contest.

Had to get that timed to perfection as Barnes tried to open his box of tricks in the Chelsea box, and makes the interception as clean as whistle. Very solid. The visitors set to shuffle the pack here.

But Bruno Guimaraes can't come up with the finish as he lifts the ball well wide of the target. Poor really from someone of his calibire.

NEWCASTLE HEADING FOR THIRD SPOT IN TABLE..

But another 20 minutes seems like a long way to go from here with only one goal. "Eddie Howe won't be panicking, but he will be concerned about his how side have started this second half," says Ally McCoist on TNT Sports.

As long as this remains at 1-0, it won't get any easier for Newcastle. James with a decent ball into the home box, but just too much juice on the delivery as Palmer tried to convert.

Emil Krafth replaces Anthony Gordon for Newcastle. Home side have lost their grip on this match a bit after that impressive first half showing.

Jacob Murphy has been yellow carded for delaying the restart. What a daft booking that is. Meanwhile, more changes coming in the blistering heat.