Newcastle United have taken a giant step towards playing in the Champions League after seeing off Brighton & Hove Albion on a memorable night at St James' Park.
The Seagulls had no answer to Newcastle after a resounding response to a partial fight back as Miguel Almiron slipped in Callum Wilson before Wilson turned provider and picked out Bruno Guimaraes. The two strikes were added to Denis Undav's own goal and Dan Burn's towering header.
United can do it with a win over Leicester City but know that one slip up by Liverpool will hand them a coveted slot in the Champions League.
READ MORE: Newcastle United vs Brighton as it happened
Liverpool left powerless
The Reds were breating down the neck of Newcastle going into the game but this 4-1 win regained the four-point lead in the Champions League places. Even if Liverpool win their final two games now they won't be able to catch Newcastle if Leicester are beaten on Monday night.
Jurgen Klopp has done his best to crank up the mind games in recent weeks but the truth is the Anfield club have been off the pace this season. Not once have they entered the Champions League places so it would be some recovery if they manage it in the final two weeks.
Roberto De Zerbi's blast after Newcastle romp to three points
The fiery Italian prowled the technical area and fumed at his own players while also hushing his own staff at one stage. The former Palermo coach though did not even try to put up a defence to the defeat at St James' Park.
Afterwards he simply stated: "We deserved to lose the game. I don't want to make any excuses. "We didn't play well in the first half so we deserved to lose the game.
"We knew it would be a tough game, and to play many games in a few days, but we're strong and we'll prepare the next game in the best way.
"We suffered physically against Newcastle and there were many players who didn't play in the last period, but I don't need to say anything because we knew it would be difficult."
Eddie Howe's big moment
Amid the madness Eddie Howe found himself punching the air as Newcastle went 4-1 up at St James' Park. The Magpies had endured a tough start to the second half as Denis Undav pulled a goal back but they struck back. It was Miguel Almiron who laid the foundations for the victory as he played in Callum Wilson.
Then moments later Wilson turned and squared the ball to Bruno Guimaraes who slammed home the fourth. At that stage Howe punched the humid Tyneside air.
He knows it could be a big moment. He knows that Newcastle could yet qualify without Monday night becoming part of the equation.
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