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Oliver Jones & James Quinlan

Jamie Redknapp makes 'straight fight' claim as Newcastle United edge towards top four confirmation

Former Premier League midfielder Jamie Redknapp claims that Newcastle United will only have to deal with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in the race for a top four position.

The Magpies ran out 5-1 victors over West Ham on Wednesday night thanks to braces from Callum Wilson and Joelinton as well as a goal from substitute Alexander Isak.

And after a slight stumble over the winter period, manager Eddie Howe seems to have reinvigorated his Newcastle squad and got momentum back behind them again - something Redknapp pointed out will be key for the run-in at the end of the season.

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"The momentum’s with them and that is so key in football," he said while covering the game with Sky Sports last night. "You look at the fixtures they’ve got and everyone right now.

"I was at the game on Sunday in the stadium and the atmosphere, the energy about the place, they’ve got Tottenham at home, that feels like it’s a huge one for them in terms of their Champions League fight.

"It’s such exciting times for them. When you think back to when Eddie Howe first took over them in a relegation fight and this quickly he’s turned them into Champions League - not just contenders, Champions League favourites right now.

"You have to put them in the mix, they’ve put a massive marker down. They’re 10 points ahead of Liverpool and Liverpool look like they can’t make it with that deficit. Brighton, could they do something incredible this season?

"It feels like it would be a little bit too far for them, so it does feel it’s a straight fight between Manchester United, Newcastle and Tottenham now."

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