Goals from Mark Viduka and Michael Owen ended Newcastle United's wretched run of 13 Premier League games without a win as they beat struggling Fulham 2-0 at St James' Park on Saturday.

The result, Newcastle's first win in Kevin Keegan's second spell as their manager after nine games without a victory since the former England coach's return, eased the Magpies fears of being drawn into the relegation battle.

But defeat left Fulham second-bottom and facing a fight to maintain their top-flight status.

Afterwards a relieved Keegan said: "It will stop people saying 'they (Newcastle)' haven't won under Kevin Keegan'.

"When we had to dig in as a team, we stuck together and maybe that's the thing these players have been criticised for in the past," the former England coach added.

"I can feel a good spirit around the place, we just needed a win to endorse that and we got it today. It was thoroughly deserved."

Keegan praised the contribution of Owen, who like his manager made his reputation as a striker at Liverpool before winning England honours.

"He's been absolutely superb, not just for his goals but for his leadership on the field. He's a great team player."

Elsewhere Newcastle's arch-rivals Sunderland moved further away from the drop zone with a 1-0 win away to Aston Villa, their first league win on their travels this season, thanks to Michael Chopra's 83rd minute goal.

Middlesbrough completed a good day for the north-east with a 1-0 victory over doomed basement club Derby County.

Meanwhile Birmingham were drawn nearer the bottom three after Reading, also on the fringes of the relegation zone, won 2-1 at the Madejski Stadium. Bolton remained in the bottom three after a goalless draw at home to Manchester City.

Blackburn Rovers beat Wigan 3-1 in a match where both sides finished down to 10 men.

In the day's early Premier League match, Tottenham beat Portsmouth 2-0 to dent Pompey's hopes of a top-five finish.

Everton, scrapping with city rivals Liverpool for fourth place, will look to boost their campaign for a Champions League spot next season against West Ham in Saturday's late kick-off.

All the top four are in action on Sunday with leaders Manchester United facing fourth-placed Liverpool and Chelsea (third) taking on second-placed Arsenal in a London derby.

Australia international Viduka did his best to settle early Newcastle nerves by scoring in the sixth minute.

But the home fans had to endure an anxious wait until Owen wrapped up the points seven minutes from time.

At Ewood Park, Roque Santa Cruz made it five goals in two games against Wigan as he struck twice.

The Paraguay forward opened the scoring in the 12th minute before Marlon King pulled Wigan level five minutes later from the penalty-spot with his first goal for the club after Christopher Samba was sent-off for a foul on ex-England striker Emile Heskey.

Jason Roberts restored Rovers's lead on the stroke of half-time and then Santa Cruz made it 3-1 in the 63rd minute.

Wigan were dealt a further blow when Honduran midfielder Wilson Palacios was sent-off for a second bookable offence.

Andre Bikey was Reading's hero, the Cameroon centre-back scoring twice. He put the Royals ahead in the 31st minute and Steve Coppell's side held that lead until the 64th minute when Argentinian Mauro Zarate levelled.

But Bikey's header 11 minutes from time secured Reading's ninth league win of the season.

At the Riverside, Tuncay Sanli's goal was all that separated Middlesbrough from Derby, the Turk netting in the 32nd minute.

Bolton's failure to win against Manchester City was compounded by the worrying sight of striker Ricardo Gardner being taken off on a stretcher at half-time with what appeared to be a rib injury.

Tottenham and FA Cup semi-finalists Portsmouth were heading for a goalless draw at White Hart Lane until Darren Bent came off the bench.

The striker made it 1-0 in the 80th minute and then laid on the second for fellow substitute Jamie O'Hara moments later.