Sandro Tonali celebrates his goal that set Newcastle on the way to a win over Chelsea. -AP
It's advantage Newcastle in the race for the Champions League.
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A 2-0 win against Premier League top-five rivals Chelsea on Sunday moved Newcastle closer to a return to European club soccer's top competition next season.
With just two rounds of the season to go, the win ensured Newcastle leapfrogged Manchester City into third place in the table.
Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes struck against 10-man Chelsea at Newcastle's St James' Park in a game that could have a big impact on the six-team battle for Champions League qualification.
Tonali fired Newcastle ahead from close range in the second minute and Nicolas Jackson was sent off for Chelsea in the 35th, following a VAR review, for a foul on Sven Botman.
Chelsea pushed for an equaliser after the break, but Guimaraes' dipping shot from distance in the 90th killed off the visitors' hopes of a comeback.
Newcastle moved a point above City who were surprisingly held 0-0 by last-placed Southampton on Saturday.
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