A look at the headlines from the national media as Newcastle United secure Champions League football with a draw against Leciester City.
Newcastle back in Champions League as Leicester cling to hope with draw
Louise Taylor of the Guardian wrote: "Shortly before kick-off Newcastle fans unfurled an enormous banner emblazoned with the message: “Bad times don’t last but legends do.”
"Those words were superimposed on giant images of Eddie Howe and his players in recognition of their completion of one of football’s more remarkable transformations. When Howe took charge here 19 months ago, Newcastle were 19th in the Premier League; courtesy of the point collected on Monday night they are now guaranteed a top-four finish.
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"No matter that a very tired looking home side rather stumbled across the line. No matter that they needed to be grateful to the otherwise unemployed Nick Pope for saving Timothy Castagne’s high-velocity stoppage-time volley, the glittering prize of participation in next season’s Champions League is theirs.
"If many Tynesiders, mentally at least, appear already in the airport departure lounge, passports at the ready as, after a 20-year absence, they prepare for a series of European adventures, Leicester are contemplating the real possibility of slogging their way round England’s second-tier outposts.
"The 2016 Premier League champions may not quite be relegated, not yet anyway, but their slender survival hopes are dependent on Everton failing to beat Bournemouth at Goodison Park on Sunday, while they also win, at home to West Ham."
Toon back in the big time
Shamoon Havez of the BBC wrote: "It was the 2002-03 season, under the guidance of legendary manager Sir Bobby Robson, when Newcastle last played in Europe's elite club competition. Howe's men will be back in the big time following a tremendous first full season in charge in which the ex-Bournemouth boss has upset the established order with a place in the top four, as well as taking them to the Carabao Cup final.
"It has been a remarkable turnaround since Howe took charge 18 months ago, one month after the Saudi Arabian-backed £305m takeover of Newcastle and with the club five points from safety at the foot of the Premier League. A tremendous atmosphere was generated by the home fans before kick-off, waving their flags and unfurling a huge banner of Howe and the team, and although they were unable to break the deadlock, they left the stadium singing about Champions League football.
"Wilson, who had scored 11 goals in his past 10 games before this encounter, came inches from adding to his tally, while Almiron and Guimaraes also came mightily close. The Brazil midfielder, though, was lucky to still be on the pitch after receiving only a yellow card for a studs-high challenge on the knee of Leicester midfielder Boubakary Soumare.
"Newcastle will aim to complete a successful season on a high on Sunday, travelling to face Chelsea hoping to secure third position."
A result that suited both teams
Craig Hope of the Daily Mail said: "For Newcastle, the guarantee of at least six matches in the gilded and glitzy surrounds of the Champions League. And Leicester, the lingering threat of 46 amid the muck and nettles of the Championship.
"Oh how different those eventualities are - executive airline travel versus a National Express motorway slog. But these are clubs heading - hurtling, even - in opposite directions. To think, when Leicester were winning the Premier League in 2016, Newcastle were being relegated.
"Here, though, was a result that could yet suit both teams. Needing only a point to secure a top-four finish, Newcastle would have preferred to sign off with a victory at St James’ Park, especially with third position still up for grabs. But their supporters did not care for points dropped on full-time, as they chorused about trips to Italy and beyond. Leicester, by contrast, are still hoping to avoid weekends in Swansea.
"To that end, a gutsy draw had some merit. It means, should they beat West Ham at home on Sunday, Everton must also win against Bournemouth to stay up at Leicester’s expense. The odds, then, remain against Dean Smith and his players, but they’re not nearly as long as they would have been had they lost this.
"They would have been favourites to survive had Timothy Castagne scored with their first shot on target in the 92nd minute. In fact, it was their first shot of any description. It looked as if it was flying in, too, until Nick Pope extended an arm. He saved both a goal and 52,000 European dreams."
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