The expectations on Tyneside for Newcastle United last pre-season were nothing more than ensuring the Magpies had a comfortable finish in the Premier League.
Avoiding a relegation scrap for the first time since 2014 in the top-flight was at the top of most fans' wish-list. And for all the myths that Newcastle's fanbase demand trophies and success, few would have complained had this season ended in a mid-table finish, as long as supporters saw fight on the field.
But this season has been much more than a mid-table finish. Newcastle not only cemented their top-flight place back in January when they hit 39 points (with 37 points set to be the magic safety number this year) but they cashed in on poor campaigns from Tottenham and Chelsea.
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Eddie Howe's team have taken advantage so far of Liverpool's winter slump and must now battle to the end to secure Champions League football. Howe has maintained the same steady approach throughout the season but admitted for the first time, Newcastle have surpassed the expectations of everyone.
Speaking ahead of the crunch clash against Brighton, Howe said: "At the start of the season, when you take yourself back, I think I sat in this room and I said it was about making sure we weren't fighting relegation.
"It was making sure we evolved and improved the team enough to be stable in the Premier League and then looking to grow the team the following seasons.
"We’ve certainly surpassed that and we’re in a position where we have three games (left). To take that position at the start of the season where it’s in our control means everything at this moment in time. The hard bit is to get over the line and win the games but that’s what we’ll try to do."
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