The English football side Wigan Athletic have dented Newcastle United's dreams of a Champions League place next season and boosted their own premier league survival hopes after a 4-0 win at the DW Stadium.
Fourth-placed Newcastle, who had won their previous six league games, came crashing down to earth against Wigan who continued their fight for safety following recent wins over Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal.
Arsenal drew 1-1 at Stoke City to stay in third place on 66 points while Newcastle are fourth on 62.
Tottenham Hotspur, who play Blackburn Rovers at home tomorrow, are fifth on 59, while Champions League finalists Chelsea, who are at home to Queens Park Rangers on Sunday, are sixth on 58.
Aston Villa, embroiled in the relegation fight, drew 0-0 at Midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion but stayed 15th on 37 points, followed by Wigan (37), QPR (34), Bolton (34), Blackburn (31) and doomed Wolves (24) who hit back from 4-1 down to share the points in an eight-goal thriller at Swansea City.
If Chelsea, who are currently sixth, beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League final next month and finish outside the top four, they will take the fourth qualifying spot as holders.
The other key matches have seen Sunderland end their four-match run without a goal with a 2-2 draw against Bolton to keep alive their hopes of avoiding the drop.
Besides Wigan, three other teams scored four with Everton crushing Fulham 4-0 at Goodison Park.
Swansea City and Wolves produced a thrilling match at the Liberty Stadium.
Swansea raced into a 4-1 lead after 31 minutes before Wolves fought back to draw.
