Newcastle one win from return to European elite

Local TV Sport

Daniel Wales and Charles Hague-Jones discuss whether Newcastle will qualify for the Champions League.

Transcript

00:00Newcastle United's race for the Champions League positions has hotted up.

00:05Obviously, a massive win over Chelsea, then falling short against Arsenal.

00:09But the race for Champions League football is going down to the final day.

00:13Newcastle host Everton in the Premier League on the final day.

00:17And obviously, three points would be surely enough to guarantee Champions League football their return after a season away.

00:26Firstly, I mean, a massive game for Newcastle.

00:28They want to end on a high. They've been fantastic, especially across 2025.

00:33They've had some amazing results, you know, culminating with that League Cup win as well over Liverpool in the final Wembley.

00:40But they want to make sure they are back in the European's most elite competition.

00:45Everton obviously picked up some great momentum.

00:48They've said goodbye to Goodison Park.

00:50But, you know, at the end of the day, they've not really got much to play for.

00:53They can't reach 12th position now either.

00:56So, a massive chance for Newcastle.

00:59It's going to be a game where they're going to go all out to try and make sure they end the season with a win.

01:04And they end the season, you know, in and around those top four spots, top five spots due to the European system and how it's worked this season.

01:13And it's a massive chance for Newcastle United to make sure they are in the Champions League.

01:19Our correspondent, Dan, has got the latest on Newcastle ahead of the game.

01:23Dan, thoughts going into this game?

01:24Obviously, a massive one that the race for the Champions League has been incredible.

01:28We've not really seen it being like this for a number of seasons now as well.

01:32Firstly, what are your thoughts on that?

01:33And then, can Newcastle do it?

01:35Can they compete again in the Champions League?

01:37And how important would it be for the likes of keeping their star players if they are a Champions League club once again?

01:44Well, Charles, firstly, I think it's actually important to note that if you'd said to any Newcastle United supporter at the start of the season,

01:51you could have a cup win and be in the contention to finish in the top five come the last day of the season,

02:00they would have absolutely snapped your hand off.

02:01But I would also probably say that if you'd offer them a cup win and Europa League,

02:06they would have taken that, no doubt about it at all as well.

02:09Because, of course, if you look back to last summer, things weren't exactly rosy at Newcastle.

02:13There was a lot of tension and friction inside the club, of course.

02:15Amanda Staveney, Murdoch, Good to see they left.

02:18Paul Mitchell came in.

02:20Dan Ashworth, of course, had already gone.

02:22So it was an interesting place and, obviously, they didn't make any real first-team signings

02:26apart from Lloyd Kelly, who, of course, has since departed the club on loan with an option to permanently move to Juventus.

02:32Will Asule, you could argue, is one.

02:34But, again, his time has been limited this season.

02:37So, certainly, it wasn't a good summer for Newcastle.

02:40And yet, here they are, sat in fourth place, knowing that a win, and possibly less than a win,

02:47could actually see them get into the Champions League.

02:50As well as already having won the League Cup this season.

02:53It's been a phenomenal campaign for Eddie Howes.

02:56I don't think it can be understated the job he and his players and staff have done during this season.

03:02Obviously, the Carabao Cup win was fantastic for the club to end the long trophy drought.

03:08But now they want, of course, the prestige and the revenue, the financial gain that comes with getting in the Champions League.

03:15Of course, you'd get some of that as well by being in the Europa League.

03:17But I think when you're so close to the Champions League now, you want to grasp that opportunity by the hands.

03:23Of course, Newcastle just needs a win to absolutely confirm it.

03:28Obviously, well, I say absolutely confirm it.

03:30Aston Villa could also win and win by 20-plus goals.

03:33And that would change things.

03:34But that's very, very, very unlikely.

03:38Newcastle, of course, could be fine with a draw as well, should Nottingham Forest and Chelsea also draw with each other.

03:46Or Aston Villa not win as well.

03:48But in which case, a draw would be fine.

03:50But realistically, Newcastle need to go into that game against Everton.

03:53And Everton's side, who have just said goodbye to Gooderton Park and don't have anything to play for.

03:58And potentially could be missing their two main centre-halves.

04:02Newcastle just need to go into that game and win.

04:04Start fast.

04:06Use the crowd to their advantage at St James' Park.

04:09Get the energy.

04:09Get the noise.

04:10Start fast and hit Everton very quickly.

04:13And it's worked for them on a number of occasions in these big games so far this season.

04:17And you'd have to say you'd back them to do it again on Sunday afternoon.

04:22If Newcastle start well and they start fast, you'd worry for Everton.

04:27But obviously, it's not really too much to bother out for Everton, to be honest.

04:30Because, as I say, they've got nothing to play for.

04:32But, of course, Newcastle do.

04:34They just need to make sure it doesn't become nervy as the game wears on.

04:37And make sure it's killed off as quickly as possible before the full-time whistle.

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