Newcastle United have the race for the Champions League firmly in their own hands heading into the final games of the campaign. Friday's impressive fightback against Nottingham Forest saw the Magpies move five points clear of sixth-placed Liverpool and puts even more pressure on the stuttering Tottenham in fourth.
Antonio Conte's side squandered a 3-1 lead away to Southampton less than 24 hours after Newcastle's win, prompting an astonishing rant from the Italian boss. It's safe to say the north London outfit are falling apart, while Newcastle are thriving behind the scenes.
“We are 11 players that go into the pitch. I see selfish players, I see players that don’t want to help each other and don’t put their heart [in]," Conte said.
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“Why? Because they are used to it here, they are used to it. They don’t play for something important yeah. They don’t want to play under pressure, they don’t want to play under stress."
Conte has since reportedly flown back to his native Italy with huge question marks hanging over his immediate future in the British capital. The former Chelsea boss is out of contract in the summer but could be axed sooner after his recent outburst.
Liverpool, just like Conte's side, have endured a stop-start season. The Reds have been held by Crystal Palace, beaten by Bournemouth and Real Madrid and trounced Manchester United 7-0 in the space of a few weeks.
But looking at the upcoming fixtures for Jurgen Klopp's side, it presents a real opportunity for Newcastle to move clear of the Merseyside outfit.
Liverpool have to take on Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal after the upcoming international break as they look to try and claw back momentum in the top four.
For Eddie Howe the focus remains the same. There will be no talk of reaching the Champions League until it is mathematically secured.
"Of course, it’s about what we do and people are obsessed with Europe, but for me it’s about being the best we can be every week and ultimately we will achieve what we deserve to achieve," the Newcastle boss said last week.
"It’s about the small steps, not the end goal. That will take care of itself."
Newcastle still have a way to go in their fight to reach Europe's premier competition but the current situations at their two closest league rivals provide a big boost for Howe's men.
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