Emotional finale on Tyneside for Newcastle

Newcastle United 2 West Ham United 0: As a survivor of testicular cancer, Jonas Gutierrez is used to winning battles far more important than those against mere relegation.

Just months after receiving the all-clear, the Argentinian led the way for Newcastle, proving that while football might not quite be a matter of life or death, on Tyneside it remains almost as important.

The only thing more unexpected than a Newcastle victory to seal their top-flight safety was to hear from Mike Ashley. For both to happen in the space of two hours provided a surreal end to another rollercoaster campaign on Tyneside.