The Irishman found the back of the net from close range in the 74th minute, leaving the Clarets four points away from the Champions League places
JEFF HENDRICK made sure Sean Dyche’s anniversary party went with a bang as he stabbed in the winner that sent Burnley soaring to new heights.
Dyche celebrated exactly five years in charge at Turf Moor – and Hendrick made sure it was memorable by popping up with the late winner.
To be fair, it was drifting towards the drabbest of draws, with very little even in the way of a chance until the Clarets midfielder pounced.
And if it was a moment to remember for him and Dyche, it was anything but for Toon keeper Rob Elliott – ironically after he had made an impressive stop.
Elliott did marvellouysly to keep out Jack Cork’s initial strike as he carved a way into the Newcastle box.
But when it broke to Johan Edmundsson on the right flank and he flashed a cross over, Elliott never got near the ball and there was Hendrick at the far post to poke it into an unguarded net.
Ironicaly to that point if there was to be a winner, you’d have backed it to come from Newcastle – not that either side had done a lot to merit it.
The closest we had come to a goal came when Ayoze Perez tried to curl one in from the edge of the box and keeper Nick Pope went fdull length to palm it behind.
Hendrick had drilled an early strike across the face of goal, and Elliott had put a hooked cross behind off his face.
But in the main it was as dull as ditchwater and as far from an advert fdor the beautiful game as you will see.
Burnley, though, won’t be concerned about that. They are more bothered about losing their manager – the third longest serving in the Prem – to Everton as Ronald Koeman’s replacement.
If he does end up heading to Goodison, at least he has taken them level on points with Liveprool. Not too many Burnley gaffers have managed that in the past.
And for Newcastle it was a 12th successive defeat on a Monday night - they'll be screaming to get the game switched the next time they're due on.
INTERACTIVE STATS - CLICK on the categories to find out how the teams fared
INTERACTIVE STATS - CLICK on the categories to find out how the teams fared
Burnley midfielder Jack Cork said: "We knew they take risks on the ball, they play out and we knew we could nick it from them. That's where the goal came from.
"I'm tired now, we work hard and cover some ground. You can see that we are a team evolving. Sean Dyche has been great for me. he's a man who wants hard work and honesty at all times."
Clarets goalscorer Jeff Hendrick told Sky Sports: "Watching the clips on Newcastle they've been tight and hard to break down. We kept working hard and got the goal in the end.
"I was just hoping the lad missed the ball and I had an open net then - if I had missed that I think I'd have gone off.
"Sean Dyche has us working hard every week and the bare minimum is to give your lot. We've scored some great goals this year and we need to continue that."
Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez: "It was a game we were controlling and we knew that scoring one goal would win it. We made a mistake and we paid for it.
"It was two teams who know what to do and little details could make the difference. We had nine attempts in the second half, we thought we could win the game. We were not precise on the ball and we have to improve.
"We know our strengths and our weaknesses. We have to improve on everything but I am happy with our work rate."
Burnley manager Sean Dyche said: "Very pleased and deservedly so. I knew it would be a tight game. They are making a good show of it this season but so are we.
"They stayed compact and I think that is respect for us. We knew we would have to fight for every inch and we did that. We tried to play and stay calm with the ball but you still have to find a way to win the game but we've often done that, with what was a very good move and good goal.
"We can play a bit and find weaknesses in teams. It's been a strong start. I've been very pleased, the lads have been fantastic. There's a willingness, but there's also some talent there."