Jonjo Shelvey's second-half free-kick gave Newcastle a much-needed 1-0 win at Leeds as Eddie Howe's side recorded just a second Premier League win of the season after what he described as a "heroic effort" from his players.
Leeds came into the clash looking for a third win in a row to move further clear of the relegation zone, only to be dragged nearer trouble after a stuttering display against resolute opponents.
Dan James was denied early on by an excellent reflex stop from Martin Dubravka as Jack Harrison - watched on from the stands by England boss Gareth Southgate - carried on where he left off at the London Stadium last weekend.
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Newcastle were not without their own threatening moments, however, with Shelvey going close to opening the scoring just before the half-hour mark, only for the playmaker's well-struck volley to be beaten clear to safety by the flying Illan Meslier.
However, it was the Newcastle playmaker who did finally make the crucial breakthrough with just 15 minutes to go as his low, curling free-kick from the left edge of the area somehow managed to evade Meslier's grasp.
As much as Leeds huffed and puffed to level matters thereafter, it was the visitors who went closest to scoring again as Howe's side jetted off to their training camp in Saudi Arabia in buoyant mood having moved up to 18th in the table, one point from safety, while Leeds stay in 15th.
Elland Road a home from home for the Magpies - Opta stats
- Newcastle have won eight of their last 12 league visits to Elland Road (D1 L3). Indeed, no side in Premier League history has won more away games at Elland Road than the Magpies (seven, level with Liverpool).
- This was Leeds United's first Premier League defeat to a side starting the day in the relegation zone since December 2003, a 1-3 defeat to Wolves, and first at home since November 2002 when they lost 2-4 to Bolton.
- Leeds have lost two of their last three Premier League games at Elland Road (W1), as many as their previous 14 home league matches before this (W5 D7 L2).
- Leeds have conceded 40 goals in 21 Premier League games this season, the earliest they have shipped 40+ league goals from the start of a league campaign since 2006-07 in the Championship (also 21 games).
Bielsa: 'We couldn't convert our chances'
Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa:
"We had many moments to unbalance the game. We could unbalance them a lot, but we couldn't convert.
"Normally, in the games where you could score and you don't, some detail unbalances the game against you. I have the sensation that's what happened.
"Even if in the last 15 minutes we failed to create enough danger, prior to that in the rest of the game we had done enough to be ahead."
Howe: 'It was a heroic effort'
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe:
"To a man, everybody really contributed to that win today. There was an incredible intensity in the game and there always is when you play Leeds.
"We had to be really good physically. We obviously ended up with a few injuries off the back of that, but it was a heroic effort in the sense that we committed everything to the game and I thought the players were outstanding."
Newcastle finally cure their travel sickness to boost survival hopes
All good things come to those who wait and that includes Premier League wins on the road, as Newcastle found out on Saturday.
Not many people would have predicted Eddie Howe's side coming away from Elland Road with all three points. But after a resolute display, the visitors held on to record a massive 1-0 victory, the north-east club's first away league win of the season at the tenth time of asking.
Sure, the victory was slightly fortuitous in that Newcastle often rode their luck at times, while Jonjo Shelvey's second-half winner owed a lot to a mistake by Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier.
However, you make your own luck in football, as the old adage goes, and that was certainly the case on the weekend as the visiting players ran themselves into the ground to protect their narrow lead.
That led to unwanted injuries to the likes of Joelinton, Paul Dummett and skipper Jamaal Lascelles, although the club's trip to Saudi Arabia for a warm-weather training camp may help to soothe some of those aches and pains ahead of their next clash at home to Everton on February 8.
Man of the Match - Jonjo Shelvey
Shelvey produced an impressive display at Elland Road, not only scoring the winning goal, but also bossing the midfield battle throughout.
The former England international, who almost opened the scoring in the first half with a volley from the edge of the area, was always going to be the man behind Newcastle's 75th-minute free-kick, despite Allan Saint-Maximin's best efforts to persuade him otherwise.
While Shelvey's actual strike appeared to lack the power to really trouble Meslier in the Leeds goal, the France U21 international generously allowed his shot to squirm past him for the winner.
What's next?
Leeds visit Aston Villa in the Premier League on Wednesday February 9 at 8pm. Newcastle host Everton on Tuesday February 8 at 7.45pm.