Former Magpies midfielder Jermaine Jenas admits that the 2-2 draw away to Leeds United was a bit of a missed opportunity for Eddie Howe’s side – but insists he still has ‘real belief’ that there is no cause for alarm in the hunt for a top-four finish.
Newcastle United came from behind to lead Sam Allardyce’s struggling Leeds at Elland Road thanks to a pair of Callum Wilson penalties, only for Rasmus Kristensen to rescue a point for the hosts in the 79th minute.
Jenas particularly feels that back-to-back home games against Brighton and Hove Albion on Thursday evening and then relegation-battling Leicester City the following Monday will see Newcastle hold off any challenge from Liverpool to sneak into a Champions League place even before the final-day trip to face Chelsea.
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He told BT Sport: “I think they’ll be disappointed about not getting the three points, the game was there for them, being totally honest with you. That second half in particular once they go 2-1 up, there were chances.
“There were so many opportunities down that left-hand side, I think Joe Willock had a couple of good one-v-one situations and when Saint Maximin came on, I’m not sure he quite had the impact. When Wilson went off the tide kind of turned a little bit.
“They’ll be disappointed going back up the motorway, the Newcastle fans. Proud of their team as always, but probably just looking over their shoulders a little bit more than they were before the game. It’s a couple of points dropped there that they could have won.”
But Jenas still says he has no doubts that Newcastle will be playing Champions League football next season, saying: “I’ve still got real belief in this side. [This] was a good point for Newcastle, coming to a place where they’ve just got a new manager and it was going to be so upbeat.
“Yes, they weren’t at their best, but it’s still a point. What do they need, six points out of their last three games? I think the home games are what is going to guarantee them. At St. James’ Park, with games to guarantee you Champions League football, I do not see them losing those two home games.”
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