Newcastle stole a march on Champions League rivals Liverpool after a 4-2 win over Everton at St James' Park lifted them into fourth spot in the Barclaycard Premiership.
With Gerard Houllier's men not in action until tomorrow, the Magpies took full advantage to pick up maximum points in the race for the final Champions League qualifying berth.
Craig Bellamy put the home side in front after just five minutes. However, the lead lasted only seven minutes as the Toffees equalised with their first real chance of the game.
Tomasz Radzinski showed great strength to bring the ball forward on the left before cutting a pass back into the path of Thomas Gravesen, who dispatched it past Shay Given from the edge of the box.
The home side were back in front after 21 minutes when fit-again Kieron Dyer met Darren Ambrose's cross and his downward header bounced up off the turf and spun over Martyn.
Shearer gave Newcastle a two-goal cushion when he grabbed his 25th goal of the season seven minutes after the restart with a cool finish following a mistake from Joseph Yobo.
Yobo (81) made amends, though, when he headed in Gary Naysmith's corner to set up an anxious last 10 minutes for the home fans.
However, Shearer was on hand to smash the ball home in stoppage time to make sure of what could prove to be a crucial victory.
Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink continued his rich vein of form to give second-placed Chelsea a hard-fought 1-0 win over Tottenham at White Hart Lane.
The Dutchman notched his 18th for the season from close range following good work from Damien Duff after 38 minutes.
Bolton went to Middlesbrough looking for revenge after defeat in the Carling Cup final - but were once again left disappointed.
The visitors found themselves 1-0 when Kevin Nolan spooned the ball into his own net past a hapless Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Sam Allardyce's men started the second half brightly, but were hit on the counter attack.
Massimo Maccarone did well down on the right and when the ball broke to Jonathan Greening in the area, he made no mistake to put Boro 2-0 ahead on 51 minutes and wrap up the points.
Bottom club Wolves' troubles continued as they went down 4-1 at home to Southampton.
James Beattie fired the Saints into the lead with a clinical finish when the ball broke to him just inside the box after 25 minutes.
Claus Lundekvam doubled the lead just before the hour when he forced the ball in from close range following a free-kick on the left.
Henri Camara gave the Molineux faithful some hope with 18 minutes but two late strikes from Phillips sealed the win for the Saints.
The match between European hopefuls Fulham and Birmingham at Loftus Road ended goalless.