Alexander Isak's 11th Premier League goal of the season and his seventh in six games helped Newcastle to a dominant victory against Aston Villa - to leave the Magpies fans dreaming of a return to European football.
A Champions League campaign last season was followed by an absence of continental football in 2024-25, but Eddie Howe's side continued their fine resurgence to move fifth in the league.
Since losing 4-2 at Brentford on 7 December, Newcastle have scored 14 goals in four games, with a pair of 4-0 wins over Leicester and Ipswich in the league to add to this Boxing Day success, plus a 3-1 win over Brentford to move into the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.