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Ciaran Kelly

Newcastle stadium glimpse, Yasir Al-Rumayyan's words and transfer targets take look - 5 things

Newcastle United have qualified for the Champions League following a 0-0 draw against Leicester City at St James' Park.

Callum Wilson, Miguel Almiron and Bruno Guimaraes all hit the post on a night dominant Newcastle did everything but score, but. However, the Magpies were ultimately indebted to goalkeeper Nick Pope for making a superb save late on to deny Timothy Castagne.

Here are five things we learned from the game as Newcastle returned to Europe's top table for the first time in 20 years.

READ MORE: Newcastle United vs Leicester City highlights

The most celebrated 0-0 draw in Newcastle's history

Newcastle knew what they had to do. Following Liverpool's 1-1 draw against Aston Villa at the weekend, the black-and-whites only needed a single point from their final two games to book their place in the Champions League.

Yet there was no danger of Newcastle settling for that against Leicester on Monday night. Eddie Howe's relentless side will have been desperate to sign off in style in their penultimate game of the campaign at St James' and win.

Leicester were not about to make it easy, though. The Foxes may be second from bottom, but the visitors were organised and difficult to break down at times as they sat back. Newcastle had their chances - Callum Wilson, Miguel Almiron and Bruno Guimaraes all hit the post - yet it says it all that this was only the fourth time Newcastle had not won a game since mid-March. Even then, this ended up the most celebrated goalless draw in the club's history as players and staff were given a rousing reception on a lap of honour.

It is one thing qualifying for the Champions League, though. Such is the mentality of senior figures at the club now, they will be desperate to ruffle a few feathers at Europe's top table - just as they have in the Premier League. A big summer lies in wait. No wonder club captain Jamaal Lascelles was the first to admit that 'seeing the club where it is now and to hear people talking about the things they're talking about feels crazy'.

Newcastle United players celebrate after securing a place in next season's Champions League competition (Copyright (c) 2023 Shutterstock)

Nick Pope steps up with priceless save

It was a night dominant Newcastle hit the post three times and had 78% possession, 24 shots and 12 corners yet the Magpies were ultimately indebted to their goalkeeper at the death. Nick Pope, somehow, clawed away Timothy Castagne's effort in stoppage - just as it looked like Leicester City were about to land a last-minute sucker punch with their only attempt all night. It was a save that secured Newcastle their place in the top four, sparing anything riding on a final trip to Chelsea on Sunday.

St James' gets glimpse of future

Dean Smith admitted he 'did not like playing on Monday nights' ahead of this game. Was it any wonder? Leicester's interim boss knew what lied in wait at a 'very partisan' St James' under the lights.

This was Newcastle's final home game of the season and the final time the Magpies were playing a league fixture at St James' for three months. You could tell as much.

Wor Flags set up camp at the stadium three days early to prepare 'one of the most ambitious displays' the fans' group had 'ever done'. Everywhere you looked, there were flags, with mosaics of Newcastle's current and former badges in the Gallowgate and Leazes Ends, but the headline addition was a new surfer the entire width and height of the East Stand depicting Eddie Howe and his side with the fitting words: 'Hard work pays off. Dreams come true. Bad times don't last but legends do.'

It rather fittingly felt like a European night. If the noise was deafening before kick-off, well it went up another octave at full-time as 'Tell me ma, me ma. I won't be home for tea. We're going to Italy,' This is just the start, a glimpse. There are more special nights ahead.

Newcastle United co-owners Mehrdad Ghodoussi and Amanda Staveley (PA Wire)

James Maddison and Harvey Barnes have a look around

James Maddison had a huge smile on his face when he walked through the players' entrance but, surprisingly, the Leicester talisman was named on the bench alongside fellow Newcastle target Harvey Barnes.

While Maddison and Barnes will have been focused purely on supporting their team-mates and making an impact from the bench - Leicester boss Dean Smith commented how they were 'professional about it' - the pair will have taken note of a remarkable atmosphere. Indeed, it was noticeable how they both had a look around the pitch just a few minutes after the Leicester bus pulled in.

Maddison ultimately came on at half-time, replacing Kelechi Iheanacho, with Newcastle's entire ownership group - Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Amanda Staveley, Mehrdad Ghodoussi and Jamie Reuben - all watching on from the stands. Before you knew it, Barnes entered the fray just a few minutes later.

Yasir Al-Rumayyan's message to supporters

There was a reason why the television cameras were still rolling at the break as Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Mehrdad Ghodoussi and Jamie Reuben all made their way down to the pitch to take part in fun88's half-time challenge. Who knew that this would end up being the first time Al-Rumayyan addressed the supporters at St James' as the Newcastle chairman said: "All of you - thank you very much!"

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