EMBARRASSED Alan Pardew last night apologised to the Toon Army for Newcastle's 6-0 home humiliation against Liverpool.
Two strikes apiece from Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson and further goals from Daniel Agger and Fabio Borini condemned Newcastle to an abject defeat.
It was the first time the Magpies had lost a top-flight match at home by a margin of six goals or more since 1925 and came two weeks after they were humbled 3-0 by Sunderland at the same venue.
Pardew's team were jeered off the pitch and the manager said: "It was an awful performance by us.
"Luckily, we have three games to go to put it right. We need four points to make sure we are safe."
Liverpool, minus the suspended Luis Suarez, were in merciless form and manager Brendan Rogers challenged Sturridge to fill the disgraced Uruguayan's boots.
He said: "Daniel can be one of the top strikers in Europe in the next three years, he needs an opportunity."
Emmerson Boyce's last-minute own goal saw Tottenham claim a late 2-2 draw against strugglers Wigan to keep their Champions League qualification hopes alive.
Spurs took the early lead through Gareth Bale, but his strike was soon cancelled out by Boyce, before Callum McManaman's firecracker looked to have earned the Latics a vital three points.
However, Boyce's afternoon ended on a sour note when Aaron Lennon's cross rebounded into the net off his shins as Roberto Martinez's side saw a vital two points evaporate.
In the early kick-off, Sergio Aguero and Yaya Toure lifted the gloom for deposed champions Manchester City with two outstanding goals to defeat West Ham 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium.
Everton kept hold of their their European football lifeline as they beat Fulham 1-0 at Goodison Park thanks to a Steven Pienaar strike.
West Brom consolidated their place in the top half of the table and left Southampton one point adrift of the magical 40-point mark with a 3-0 win at St Mary's.
Stoke eased their relegation fears with a 1-0 win over Norwich.
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