Newcastle 0-0 Leicester: Eddie Howe’s men secure Champions League football next season

Newcastle secured a top-four Premier League end for the primary time in 20 years with a goalless draw in opposition to relegation-threatened Leicester, whose destiny is now out of their very own fingers.

Newcastle are 4 factors away from fifth-placed Liverpool heading into Sunday’s ultimate day of the season, whereas Leicester stay within the relegation zone, two factors adrift of security.

The hosts had 78% possession in the course of the contest and initially discovered it troublesome to make inroads, however Callum Wilson hooked an effort in opposition to the put up and noticed his follow-up effort headed off the road by Wilfred Ndidi.

Three minutes earlier than half-time the hosts rattled the put up once more via Miguel Almiron, whereas within the second half visiting goalkeeper Daniel Iversen acrobatically tipped over Alexander Isak’s effort from distance.

Bruno Guimaraes additionally hit the woodwork with a header from virtually on the goalline within the second interval, however Leicester virtually gained it in harm time when Nick Pope stored out Timothy Castagne’s acrobatic effort.

Foxes boss Dean Smith began England internationals James Maddison and Harvey Barnes on the bench however neither was in a position to inject any impetus into their uninteresting efficiency after approaching.

Toon again within the huge time

It was the 2002-03 season, underneath the steerage of legendary supervisor Sir Bobby Robson, when Newcastle final performed in Europe’s elite membership competitors.

Howe’s males can be again within the huge time following an incredible first full season in cost by which the ex-Bournemouth boss has upset the established order with a spot within the high 4, in addition to taking them to the Carabao Cup ultimate.

It has been a outstanding turnaround since Howe took cost 18 months in the past, one month after the Saudi Arabian-backed £305m takeover of Newcastle and with the membership 5 factors from security on the foot of the Premier League.

An incredible environment was generated by the house followers earlier than kick-off, waving their flags and unfurling an enormous banner of Howe and the group, and though they have been unable to interrupt the impasse, they left the stadium singing about Champions League soccer.

Wilson, who had scored 11 objectives in his previous 10 video games earlier than this encounter, got here inches from including to his tally, whereas Almiron and Guimaraes additionally got here mightily shut.

The Brazil midfielder, although, was fortunate to nonetheless be on the pitch after receiving solely a yellow card for a studs-high problem on the knee of Leicester midfielder Boubakary Soumare.

Newcastle will purpose to finish a profitable season on a excessive on Sunday, travelling to face Chelsea hoping to safe third place.

Leicester left questioning

Leicester host West Ham on the final day hoping the Hammers have taken their eye off the ball with their top-flight place safe and a Europa Convention League ultimate to look ahead to.

However they go into that sport understanding even a win may not be sufficient as seventeenth positioned Everton can assure their Premier League standing with victory over Bournemouth at Goodison Park.

The end result at Newcastle prolonged Leicester’s run to only one win of their previous 15 video games, incomes simply seven factors throughout that run, and they’re favourites to hitch Southampton within the second tier.

Supporters can be left questioning how the match might have panned out had key gamers Maddison and Barnes been given begins as an alternative of being left on the bench.

Castagne’s acrobatic effort within the 92nd minute virtually secured a shock victory, however their defence did at the least handle to maintain a primary clear sheet within the league since November.

• Our protection of your Premier League membership is larger and higher than ever earlier than – this is everything you need to know to be sure you by no means miss a second