Tuesday night’s Premier League games were all about the battle at the bottom of the table. Here is what happened in those crucial matches:

Magpies win vital clash against the Clarets

Newcastle recorded what could be a priceless 2-0 victory over relegation rivals Burnley at St James Park. The win means that the Magpies have now won their last four home games in the Premier League.

Following a quiet start to the game, the home side took the lead on 24 minutes. Swiss centre-back hit a fantastic long-range effort that hit the inside of the post before flying into the back of the net.

Burnley attempted to hit back and striker Chris Wood saw a volley on goal well saved by Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. Newcastle doubled their lead on 38 minutes, as young midfielder Sean Longstaff fired a low effort home from a Matt Ritchie cross. The strike was the 21-year-old’s first Premier League goal.

Burnley saw a penalty appeal turned down, as Ritchie appeared to catch Johann Berg Gudmundsson in the penalty area. Centre-back James Tarkowski also missed a guilt-edge chance from close-range. The centre-back also headed over the bar with a good chance in the second half.

At the other end, Tom Heaton produced a good near-post save from a Miguel Almiron effort. The game failed to produce in the way of clear-cut chances, although Burnley striker Matej Vydra did miss the target after a corner kick had fallen to the substitute.

The win was a comfortable one in the end for Newcastle, who are now seven points clear of the relegation zone. Burnley remain six points clear of the drop zone, although the Clarets are still outsiders to suffer relegation.

Toffees end poor run with a win at Cardiff

Everton ended a run of three straight Premier League defeats by recording a 3-0 victory over Cardiff at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Everton had slightly the better of a scrappy first half and took the lead on 41 minutes. Full-back Seamus Coleman found space down the right flank and found Icelandic playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson, who slotted home from 15 yards out.

There were half chances at both ends of the pitch before the visitors doubled their lead on 66 minutes. Brazilian substitute Bernard showed good feet before seeing his effort parried by Cardiff goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, only for Sigurdsson to follow in and smash home the rebound from inside the area.

The Toffees went on to control the rest of the second period and in stoppage-time made it three. Midfielder Idrissa Gueye produced a brilliant nutmeg on Sol Bamba before putting striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin through on goal. The youngster kept his cool to fire home a powerful drive despite the best efforts of Etheridge.

The defeat means that Cardiff could drop into the relegation zone this evening if Southampton wins their home game against Fulham. The win was a much-needed one for Everton, as the Toffees had previously won just one of their last six league games.

The three points saw Marco Silva’s team move up ninth place in the table ahead of Sunday’s  Merseyside derby against Liverpool.

Tuesday’s other Premier League results

Huddersfield 1-0 Wolves

Leicester 2-1 Brighton

Will Cardiff drop into the relegation spots this evening?