Andros Townsend has urged Newcastle to grasp the survival lifeline they have been thrown to preserve their Premier League status. Rafael Benitezs men began the weekend six points adrift of safety, but boosted their hopes of pulling off a great escape after rivals and fellow relegation candidates Sunderland did both a favour by winning at Norwich before the Magpies beat Swansea 3-0.The likelihood is still that two of the three clubs which occupy 17th, 18th and 19th places will join relegated Aston Villa in the Championship, but victory over Manchester City in their game in hand on the Canaries would lift Newcastle out of the drop zone and increase belief that they can rescue themselves. Townsend, a January arrival from Tottenham, told the clubs website: It was massively important. The games have been running out and we knew that eventually we had to get three points, and weve done that now.Weve got five games left and weve got to win our home games if we want to stay in the Premier League.I think people outside the club wrote us off after the Southampton game, but we knew that four of our last six games are at home, we knew that we had a good record at home and we knew that we were still in with a chance.One week later, everythings changed. Norwich have slipped up, weve capitalised and now its anyones to grab now. Hopefully we can be the team that takes the last five games by the scruff of the neck and does enough to survive. Rafa Benitez praised the Newcastle fans for supporting his players Townsend played a key role as the Magpies belatedly handed Benitez his first win on his 56th birthday, delivering the corner for Jamaal Lascelles to head in the opener before setting up skipper Moussa Sissoko to score a second.The £12m signing from Spurs wrapped up the victory in the final minute of normal time with his second goal in as many games, but it was the manner of victory as much as the fact of it which gave his team cause for hope.Lascelles belied his youth and inexperience with an outspoken critique of his teams performance and character at Southampton last weekend, but the 22-year-old was delighted with the reaction seven days later. He said: In this changing room, we need a character because I think we have lacked it - I said it last week, I think we have lacked it a little bit this season.Im young, but I dont think that matters. I dont care about experience or anything like that - if you can talk, you can talk, so do it.But its had a big reaction on the other players and thats exactly what we needed, so I am really pleased with them.Watch Newcastle take on Manchester City in a Football Special on Tuesday, April 19 from 7pm on Sky Sports 1. Phil Thompson reflects on Newcastles victory Also See: Newcastle 3-0 Swansea As it happened Newcastle fixtures Get a ￡10 free bet! Kevan Miller Bruins Jersey . Thats what he did over the past 2 1/2 years with the Washington Wizards. Wittmans approach helped turn the Wizards from pushover to playoff winners. Danton Heinen Jersey . -- Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday for the first time in his seven-year career because of a swollen muscle in his left upper back. http://www.thebostonbruinshockey.com/ste...-hockey-jersey/. -- Damian Lillard couldnt believe when he got a clear look at the rim. Terry OReilly Jersey . Its the second straight year he has decided not to play as he cuts back his schedule. Stricker was replaced in the field by Ryo Ishikawa of Japan. Ray Bourque Bruins Jersey . -- Stanley Johnson scored all 18 of his points in the second half, T.WINNIPEG JETSLAST SEASON: 37-35-10, 84 points; finished 11th in the Western Conference and missed the playoffs.COACH: Paul Maurice, second season with the Jets, 478-469-99-73 overall.ADDED: C Mathieu Perreault.LOST: C Olli Jokinen, G Al Montoya.PLAYER TO WATCH: Evander Kane: The 23-year old is entering his sixth NHL season, all with the Thrashers/Jets franchise. But the question surrounding Kane isnt whhere hell start the season.dddddddddddd Rather its where hell finish. Kanes name has been linked in trade rumours, leading the left winger to tell a Vancouver radio station in July he will operate under the assumption he is a Winnipeg Jet.OUTLOOK: The Atlanta/Winnipeg franchise has not qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs since the 2006-07 season. That probably wont change in 2014-15. ' ' '