Matt Ritchie scored the only goal as Newcastle sealed a famous win over Manchester United.
It leaves league leaders Manchester City needing just six more victories to win the Premier League title – and opens the door for them to do it against United at the Etihad on April 7.
City now lead United by 16 points after beating Leicester 5-1 on Saturday and Mourinho is fighting for second place.
Liverpool cut the gap to second to just two points with a 2-0 win over Southampton later on Sunday afternoon.
And Mourinho claimed the Newcastle players fought for their lives, branding them animals – and meant it as a compliment.
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“They fought like animals – I hope they take that as a compliment,” he said.
“The gods of football were on their side. It wasn’t going to happen for us today.
“Newcastle gave what they have and what they don’t have, that’s a beautiful thing in football.
“They fought for their point, a point is what they had in mind. We made a defensive mistake and when they are in front they had only one thing in mind and gave their lives to keep a clean sheet.”
And it was another bad day for Paul Pogba, who hobbled off injured and limped away from the stadium.
The France star had been dropped the previous week so came into this one with a point to prove.
But he disappointed and probably shouldn’t have even played after picking up a knock in the warm up.
He was finally put out of his misery in the second half when hooked for Michael Carrick.
Mourinho insisted he was OK, but Pogba winced in the mixed zone when asked how he felt.
United’s next league match is the much anticipated clash with Chelsea on February 25 where Mourinho could come face to face with Antonio Conte on the sidelines at Old Trafford – unless the Italian has been sacked by then.
Before then though United go away to Huddersfield in the FA Cup and Sevilla in the Champions League.
For Newcastle this results seems them jump up the table having started the match in the bottom three they now rest more comfortable in 13.
Rafa Benitez said: “It’s a big boost for us and gives us belief we can compete against the big teams.
“We were well organised and defended with passion and commitment from everyone. This team cares, they don’t give up and they continue working hard. We know that we have limitations but this is another game where they gave everything.”