PREMIER LEAGUE | HENRY WINTER
Newcastle vs Leicester: Eddie Howe’s side secure Champions League football
Newcastle United 0 Leicester City 0: Stalemate means Dean Smith’s side must beat West Ham on final day to give themselves a chance of staying up
The Newcastle players celebrate after sealing Champions League qualification — they last played in the competition in 2002
OWEN HUMPHREYS/PA WIRE
For 20 minutes after the final whistle Newcastle United fans sang of going off to Italy, que sera, sera. Other Champions League destinations are available. In front of them at the Gallowgate End, the offspring of the Newcastle players kicked balls into the goal, led by Miguel Almirón’s son. Newcastle had the point they wanted to guarantee entry to Europe’s elite competition for the first time in 20 years. In a city where they do not need an excuse to party, they partied.
And so, after 289 days of this elongated Premier League season, Newcastle had delivered for their fans. Few expected this back on August 6. They knew that Eddie Howe was rebuilding, but now up the Premier League they go, boarding the Champions
