Newcastle United's comprehensive 4-1 win at Everton has all but secured their place in the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League.
That is the view of former England and Man City defender Joleon Lescott, who believes the confidence with which Newcastle are playing with right now, as well as the comparative fixture lists of their top four rivals, means the Magpies will secure their place in the Champions League group stages for the first time since the 2002/03 season.
A brace from Callum Wilson, as well as goals from Joelinton and Jacob Murphy ensured the Magpies secured a seventh win in their last eight matches to stretch the gap between themselves and fifth placed Tottenham to eight points with a game in hand.
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United are also eight points clear of Aston Villa with a game in hand, nine points clear of Liverpool and 13 points clear of Brighton, albeit the Seagulls have two games in hand on the Magpies.
As such, Lescott, who played in European club football's premier competition during his time with Man City, is confident Eddie Howe's men won't let their top four place slip in the final six matches of the season.
"No," Lescott replied when asked by BT Sport presenter Lynsey Hipgrave if he can see any way Newcastle will not qualify for next season's Champions League.
"Not just only with the fixtures coming up - Manchester United vs Aston Villa and Liverpool vs Spurs - but the way they are playing they fully deserve it.
"If they keep playing the way they are playing I fully see that happening. I see them scoring at will and them playing with a freedom and confidence that only comes from being at the top of the table."
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