Dan Burn believes Newcastle's big-game experience proved decisive in their 2-0 win over Chelsea, a match the Magpies saw as their second-biggest of the season after the EFL Cup final.

Goals from Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes pushed Newcastle closer to Champions League qualification as they overcame one of their rivals for a top-five finish at St James' Park.

Chelsea had Nicolas Jackson sent off for violent conduct in the 35th minute, having caught Sven Botman with his forearm, but the Blues still made things nervy for their hosts.

Nick Pope made strong saves to deny Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez in the second half, while Reece James missed a golden chance shortly before Guimaraes' 90th-minute clincher.

Burn, who recorded an assist and led all Newcastle players for touches (64), accurate passes (45) and tackles won (two, joint with Botman), was aware of the result's significance.

"It was huge, we knew how important this was," Burn told TNT Sports. "We'd said the cup final was our biggest game, but this was the one after.

"It wasn't pretty but we got the job done, so at this stage, I really don't care.

"Sometimes it's hard when they go down to 10 men as you feel like you should dominate and you don't want to let them back into it.

"I think the crowd were a little bit nervy and that made us nervy as well. We've been together for three or four years now, we've got that big-game experience and we did really well to see this game out."

Newcastle now know four points from their final two matches of the Premier League season – at Arsenal and at home to Everton – will secure a top-five finish as neither Chelsea nor Aston Villa could overhaul them.

Head coach Eddie Howe echoed Burn's belief that the red card may have made things more difficult for Newcastle, while praising their mental resilience.

"In the first half we were really good, we were very pleased," Howe said in his own post-match interview with TNT Sports.

"I think the sending off changed the game and with the scoreline as it was, it was a tricky second half mentally as we wanted to go out and attack. 

"That was the message but on the pitch it was different, and Chelsea tweaked things and made it difficult tactically. But we hung in there and did really well, mentally, in the second half.

"They had nothing to lose, but I was pleased with how we defended. Nick played a major part in the win today, and we got over the line, that's the major thing." 

Tonali has now scored three goals in his last eight Premier League appearances, more than he managed in his first 34 in the competition beforehand (two). 

Four of his five goals in the Premier League have come at St. James' Park, while all four of those at the ground have given Newcastle the lead in that match.

He scuffed his finish for the opener but saw it bounce up and over Robert Sanchez, and admitted to TNT Sports that he benefitted from a big slice of fortune.

"I love to score at St James' Park, but I think I was a little bit lucky for the goal because the shit was so-so," he said. "But I'm happy for this win and for the three points."