NEWCASTLE SECURE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOOTBALL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 20 YEARS  

Newcastle on Monday night claimed the point needed to secure a top-four Premier League finish with a goalless draw against relegation-threated Leicester, whose fate is now out of their own hands. Eddie Howe’s side failed to break the deadlock in a match they dominated, striking the post three times, but the result was sufficient for the Magpies to make a return to the Champions League next season.

Newcastle’s are four points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool heading into Sunday’s final day of the season, while Leicester remain in the relegation zone, two points adrift of safety. It was the 2002-03 season, under the guidance of legendary manager Sir Bobby Robson, when Newcastle last played in Europe’s elite club competition.

Howe’s men will be back in the big competition following a tremendous first full season in charge in which the ex-Bournemouth boss has upset the established order with a place in the top four, as well as taking them to the Carabao Cup final. Also, it has been a remarkable turnaround since Howe took charge 18 months ago, one month after the Saudi Arabian-backed 305 million pounds takeover of Newcastle and with the club five points from safety at the foot of the Premier League.