Here is a round-up of the national media reports after Newcastle United earned a huge 4-1 victory over Brighton at St James' Park on Thursday night.
'Close to becoming a reality'
Jonathan Jurejko wrote for BBC Sport: "While the Saudi-backed consortium which bought Newcastle in late 2021 brought optimism and excitement about the club's future, few expected a team in a relegation battle at the time of the takeover to be contending for Champions League qualification this season.
"Howe said before Brighton's visit that he would have "snapped the hand off" someone offering him the prospect of a top-four finish at the start of the season. What was then a fanciful thought is now so close to becoming a reality.
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"Newcastle's rapid improvement has been down to Howe's management and astute signings, with strong home form providing the bedrock of their success.
"The Magpies had only lost two league games at St James' Park this season before Thursday's crucial fixture, and knew victory against the Seagulls and another home win against Leicester on Monday would seal their place among Europe's elite next season."
'Equation is simple'
Louise Taylor wrote for the Guardian: "For Newcastle the equation is simple; win one of their remaining two games and Tyneside’s 20-year exile from the Champions League will be over.
"The celebrations could well begin on Monday night when Leicester travel here but, should Aston Villa triumph at Liverpool, might be triggered as early as Saturday. On this evidence though, a few of Eddie Howe’s players could be almost too tired to party.
"The indefatigable Lewis Dunk and Jason Steele excepted, much the same could be said of Roberto De Zerbi’s evidently fatigued team as they aim to take Brighton into Europe for the first time.
"While Newcastle pushed themselves defiantly, and often magnificently, through the pain barrier, De Zerbi’s side were way below their mesmeric best and never looked like sustaining a brief second-half revival. The usually influential Moisés Caicedo and Pascal Gross were particularly poor."
'Tyneside passport office could well be busy'
Craig Hope wrote for the MailOnline: "So much for that nonsensical routine of refusing to celebrate against your former club. Dan Burn needed restraining by his Newcastle team-mates and, when he escaped them like he had Brighton’s defenders, they left him to it, roaring like a lion in front of the stands where he sat as a boy.
"Either Burn forgot he had ever played for Brighton, or he simply didn’t care. Given this was a goal that helped move his boyhood team to within one win of the Champions League - a competition he watched from those terraces the last time they played in it - you can assume it was the latter.
"Burn wasn’t offering his palms in apology, he was whipping them in the air – and good on him, too. He probably thought the closest he would ever get to Europe was the four years he spent on the south coast with the Seagulls. Now, he and Newcastle must beat one of Leicester, back here on Monday, or Chelsea away on the final day to guarantee a top-four finish.
"Considering the form of that pair, the Tyneside passport office could well be busy in the coming days.
"And how Newcastle will deserve Champions League football, much like they did this victory. They blew away Brighton in the closing stages as Callum Wilson and Bruno Guimaraes added the goals to plant one foot firmly on the richest of European soils."
READ NEXT
- Newcastle send ominous message to Liverpool, Eddie Howe's staff go wild and luxury added bonus
- Staveley joins celebrations, Bruno's incredible gesture and Almiron gets an apology in Newcastle win
- Eddie Howe keeps his feet firmly on the ground and isn't getting 'excited' over Champions League
- Newcastle United's walking wounded leave Elliot Anderson and Lewis Miley on brink of call-ups
- Newcastle notes: Roberto De Zerbi's sign of respect to United while Jurgen Klopp is left powerless
