"I really don't care. That's genuine. All I care about is trying to influence our results and I'm already thinking about Crystal Palace." Eddie Howe was unequivocal in his response when asked who he'd prefer to see win between Tottenham and Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.
The Newcastle United boss, as ever, is solely focused on making sure his side keep picking up points each and every week as they continue to over-deliver in the Premier League. The Magpies needed a last-gasp Alexander Isak header to take all three points home on Sunday, with the win over Fulham ensuring Howe's men reclaimed third spot.
Manchester United were the team being demoted back into fourth-place, little over 24 hours after the media began to talk about Erik ten Hag's side as genuine title contenders. If the Red Devils are in with a shot of the Premier League crown, surely that must mean Newcastle are too?
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However, the fact of the matter is even the most diehard members of the Geordie faithful aren't realistically expecting a title push between now and May. Arsenal are a huge nine points clear of Newcastle at present and while the gap to Manchester City is only one point, Pep Guardiola's side can turn on the afterburners at any given moment.
The real focus should be on a top four finish this season. A remarkable achievement in any campaign, it would represent a truly phenomenal feat given the squad at Howe's disposal in the north east.
Newcastle's lack of European football and FA Cup fixtures in the coming months hands them a huge advantage. A small number of additions before the January transfer window closes would also aid their quest.
But the so-called 'Big Six' are making it very easy to imagine Newcastle in Europe's premier competition next season as well. While Brentford and Fulham are overachieving, the top flight behemoths of old are choking at almost every opportunity.
Chelsea, who appear to have forgotten Financial Fair Play exists, cannot find a rhythm under Graham Potter, Jurgen Klopp's seven-year inch has set in at Anfield and Antonio Conte is suggesting he needs a 'miracle' to achieve anything with his current crop of Spurs stars.
Not only are Newcastle outperforming these teams on the pitch, they look infinitely more united off it too. The feeling inside the home dressing room at St James' Park is one of total belief this season, with some memorable post-match dance moves helping show the outside world that morale is at an all-time high.
There is no in-house bickering, no press conference complaining, no trigger-happy spending in the market. Everything appears to be running like clockwork on Tyneside.
Newcastle have a favourable fixture run in the coming weeks and are buoyed by a huge semi-final on the horizon. There is no need to worry about what happens in north London or Manchester when Newcastle are making their own success on Tyneside.
While other teams are admittedly aiding their cause with their stuttering seasons, Howe is correct not to look at other results elsewhere in the division. His side will decide their own destiny when the business end of the campaign rolls around.
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