Eddie Howe known as it irritating. He highlighted two main saves made by goalkeeper Nick Pope. He spoke concerning the distinction of the primary half versus the second, as Newcastle made onerous work of seeing out a scoreline benefit with a participant extra. It is “job performed”, he concluded, in aid.

Newcastle’s 2-0 win over Chelsea may effectively be thought-about the day Howe’s aspect secured a triumphant Champions League return when all issues are mentioned and performed on Might 25. The Magpies are actually within the field seat, three factors higher off than Chelsea with two video games remaining.

Nothing is assured with fixtures towards Arsenal and Everton to return however Newcastle stay in command of their European future. Hope has been changed by expectancy. The end line is in sight.

Newcastle are but to lose to a ‘large six’ aspect at dwelling this season – together with Chelsea, October’s Carabao Cup quarter-final assembly a current reminder of the imposition. They’ve gathered one much less level than champions Liverpool (46) throughout their earlier 21 outings, amassing their twentieth win of the season on Sunday – and end the day two shy of subsequent opponent Arsenal.

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The final time Newcastle matched such a formidable whole was 2002/03, by the way additionally the final time they completed contained in the Premier League’s prime three. And this explicit success, their most essential but, felt like greater than only a good omen.

Maybe Newcastle bought to the Champions League too quickly two years in the past, with a squad ill-equipped to deal with the depth of video games each three or 4 days. Gamers lacked big-game expertise, too, and home efficiency suffered because of this.

Quick ahead 18 months and so they look prepared, extra full, led by the guile of Sandro Tonali and craft of Bruno Guimaraes – who each scored. The no-nonsense defending of player-of-the-match Dan Burn. The tactical nous of Howe.

For under the second time throughout 2024/25, Howe began with a again three, in the identical formation he had chosen to satisfy the match of Arsenal within the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg. It labored completely each occasions. Nothing concerning the swap was damaging, fairly the alternative.

Sven Botman was handed his first begin since February and Anthony Gordon returned to the XI for the primary time since being despatched off towards Brighton in March. Jacob Murphy and Tino Livramento had been the nominal wing-backs, taking part in their respective elements excellently as Newcastle sustained wave after wave of assault.

Tonali’s objective, scored after 110 seconds, was indicative of Howe’s front-footed strategy. “The supporters need quick, attacking, aggressive soccer and that is excellent for me,” the supervisor mentioned post-match. The script was written.

“Get into them” was the message from the gang and the Magpies prowled from minute one.

In some ways, it felt just like the strain was all the time on Chelsea.

The prize of a golden ticket to the Champions League is arguably extra essential for the free-spending Londoners, mandatory even, given the huge monetary reward. Even final glory in one of many different two European competitions – Chelsea are within the Convention League ultimate – gives nowhere close to the riches of taking part within the large one. Past the attract and pleasure of essentially the most prestigious membership competitors on the market, it is the financial institution stability that always issues most.

Slipping down a spot won’t damage a lot in home phrases however the ramifications are seismic in actuality. To display progress underneath Enzo Maresca, to vindicate the sums spent, certainly Chelsea require Champions League soccer? The minimal goal should have been to construct on the sixth-place end Mauricio Pochettino managed final season – deemed not adequate to remain within the job.

However right here, at a sun-soaked St James’ Park, Chelsea met a group hungrier to succeed. Keen to run tougher and for longer. Enjoying with a must-win perspective and never merely a must-not-lose. Newcastle’s Anticipated Objectives (xG) whole was greater than double that of Chelsea’s.

The Blues have misplaced six of their final 9 away video games within the Premier League, solely Leicester and Southampton have a worse file in that interval. Their ill-discipline is an issue, too, highlighting a naivety that has existed ever because the Chelsea hierarchy launched into a switch coverage that solely focused gamers aged 24 and underneath.

Maresca’s aspect have collected 96 yellow playing cards this season, essentially the most of any aspect, with Nicolas Jackson’s recklessness – despatched off for an elbow on Botman – maybe the most expensive instance of all of them. The choice-making was indefensible.

And now Newcastle’s edge is evident. A solitary victory from their ultimate two video games would guarantee a return to the Champions League for 2025/26, barring a extremely inconceivable goal-difference swing.

Newcastle’s season went down as successful the second the ultimate whistle blew on the finish of their Carabao Cup ultimate win over Liverpool in March. The two-1 victory at Wembley ended a 70-year look ahead to silverware. However this may arguably eclipse even that, as a result of the competitors has been so fierce and the ramifications so nice.

They’ve momentum, perception and now the company. Simply as they did on Sunday, by any means mandatory, they need to lastly be assured of seeing the job by way of.