Newcastle qualify for Champions League for first time in 20 years
They limped over the line, stifled by Leicester, but dominant. The last points are always the hardest to win.
Eddie Howe’s side clinched the point they needed to secure a top-four finish and a place in next season’s Champions League.
By the time Newcastle stars were leading a lap of honour in front of their adoring fans, the grind of the actual game was forgotten. It was a celebration of games far more potent and exciting than this one.
Newcastle dominated but couldn't get the goal they needed for the win, hitting the woodwork three times.
They had 23 shots and 81 per cent possession.
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They got the job done, but only thanks to a world-class Nicky Pope save in injury time from Tim Castagne.
The last time Newcastle finished in the top four was in May 2002 under Sir Bobby Robson. And it is 11 years since they last qualified for Europe by finishing fifth in 2012 under Alan Pardew.
It seals a remarkable revival since Mike Ashley sold up to the Saudi PIF and Amanda Staveley’s consortium in October 2021.
Those were dark days with Steve Bruce’s side 19th in the league after seven games with just three points.
That 19 months later Eddie Howe has moulded a top-four team is remarkable. It is a magnificent achievement.
Leicester are most likely heading in the opposite direction to the Geordies.
Eddie Howe is the first manager to lead Newcastle to the Champions League since Sir Bobby Robson (PA)After nine seasons in the Premier League, including their miracle title win, and an FA Cup win just two seasons ago, they are heading down unless they beat West Ham at the weekend.
City put in a very solid performance, saved by the woodwork twice in the first half, playing a deep-lying stifling game with five at the back and three midfielders banked up.
But there was little chance of City scoring, with such a lack of adventure. They won their first corner after 64 minutes.
The Toon had a late injury switch of their own with Joelinton hobbling out of the warm-up and local lad Elliot Anderson called up to start ten minutes before kick-off.
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Despite an electric atmosphere in the build-up, it was flat.
Bruno Guimaraes was very lucky not to see red for a 'studs above knee' tackle on Boubakary Soumare. It was checked by VAR but Andre Marriner’s decision to show a yellow was unchanged.
Anderson flashed a shot in, saved by David Iverson, and Miggy Almiron fired over, while Leicester couldn’t get near the home goal.
Callum Wilson then hit the post after 40 minutes and then headed goalward only for Wilfred Ndidi to head off the line.
Two minutes later Almiron smacked the post after Fab Schar’s head down, and from the rebound, Alexander Isak fired over.
Wilson then had a great chance at the back post from Kieran Tripper’s corner but headed over, in a series of missed chances.
Newcastle drew 0-0 with Leicester on the night (Getty Images)At half-time, Newcastle’s chairman, and PIF and LIV golf chief Yasir Al-Rumayyan was given an ovation by the home crowd as he took part in a shooting game with co-owners Jamie Reuben and Mehrdad Ghodoussi.
Saudi Arabia’s most powerful businessman and non-royal wore a black and white lined suit.
After the break, Almiron set up Isak whose top-corner shot was brilliantly saved by Iverson.
In an astonishing miss, Guimaraes headed against the post from a yard after Trippier’s corner was flicked by Wout Faes.
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