Most Newcastle United fans would have snapped your hand off for a top half finish and a decent cup run back in August. However, the Magpies now know they will ply their trade in either the Champions League or Europa League next season after guaranteeing a top six finish this term.
The Magpies could only draw at relegation-threatened Leeds United during Saturday's early kick-off but Tottenham's defeat against Aston Villa hours later means Eddie Howe's side can't drop out of the top six between now and the end of May. The seventh-placed team in the Premier League will qualify for the recently-formed Europa Conference League, with West Ham United currently heavy favourites to win the 2022/23 version of the competition.
A top six finish for Newcastle represents a monumental achievement at this stage in their post-Mike Ashley journey but Howe has made it clear reaching the top four remains the aim for his high-flying Newcastle United as the rivals continue to fall by the wayside.
