Newcastle qualify for Champions League after draw against Leicester

Newcastle United have confirmed their place in next season’s Champions League after drawing 0-0 against Leicester City on Monday night.

Liverpool’s home draw against Aston Villa on Saturday meant that Newcastle needed only a point from their final two Premier League matches to secure a top-four finish and an automatic spot in the group stage of the 2023-24 Champions League.

Newcastle’s best opportunity came towards the end of the first half when Leicester goalkeeper Daniel Iverson spilled the ball into the path of striker Callum Wilson, but the England international failed to hit the target from close range after smashing the left-hand post.

Miguel Almiron struck the right-hand post moments later after his shot deflected off defender Wout Faes to keep the scoreline level going into the interval.

Bruno Guimaraes should have broken the deadlock in the 71st minute after a corner took a deflection off Faes towards the head of the Brazilian, but his effort struck the woodwork from close range.

Leicester came close to snatching the win after a James Maddison cross found Timothy Castagne in the 18-yard box, only for his effort to be comfortably saved by Nick Pope.

Despite dominating large parts of possession, Newcastle failed to convert any of their chances and came away with a point from the game.

The result means Newcastle return to the Champions League for the first time since the 2002-03 season when Sir Bobby Robson was manager. The north-east side last played European football in the 2012-13 campaign, reaching the Europa League quarter-finals under Alan Pardew.

Eddie Howe’s side will be join champions Manchester City and runners-up Arsenal in Europe’s elite competition next term.

Manchester United will take the other Champions League place if they get a point from their two remaining league matches. Erik ten Hag’s side play Chelsea on Thursday and end their campaign at home against Fulham on Sunday.

Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff said to Sky Sports: “I can’t put it into words to be honest. If you told us two years ago this was going to happen, we wouldn’t have believed you.

“We’ve beaten Juventus here 1-0 (in the Champions League), you see it on old DVDs.

“To be a part of this, I’m buzzing to be fair.”