Wayne Rooney and David Unsworth fired Everton to a pulsating 2-1 victory over Newcastle United today, dealing a hammer blow to the Tynesiders' title hopes.
Rooney, who helped England to a vital Euro 2004 qualifying win over Turkey on Wednesday, rounded of an unforgettable week by heading Everton ahead after 18 minutes at Goodison Park.
French winger Laurent Robert rifled in a stunning equaliser for Newcastle just before the break but Unsworth swept home a 65th minute penalty after Jonathan Woodgate had bundled Everton striker Kevin Campbell to the ground in the area.
Newcastle are left stuck on 61 points - six behind both Manchester United and Arsenal with six games left.
Everton moved up to fifth on 53 points, one ahead of Liverpool and four behind Chelsea in the race for the Champions League spot.
Newcastle nearly snatched a stoppage time equaliser when defender Titus Bramble sent in a powerful close-range header, only for Everton keeper Richard Wright to pull off a stunning reflex save.