Newcastle qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years

Newcastle qualified for the Champions League for the first time in 20 years after drawing Leicester 0-0 in the English Premier League on Monday, a milestone for a Saudi-controlled club with the resources and ambition to sign a key player in European football. .

The point ensured that Newcastle cannot be denied a place in the top four heading into its final game of the season, against Chelsea on Sunday.

Leicester’s campaign closing game has much more to offer, with the team still in the relegation zone needing a win at home to West Ham to avoid falling into the second tier of the Championship – seven years after winning the Premier League with pre-season odds of 5,000-1 in a sporting fairytale.

Newcastle swarmed all over Leicester at St. James’ Park, hitting the post three times – through Callum Wilson, Miguel Almiron and Bruno Guimaraes – and forcing a string of saves from goalkeeper Daniel Iversen.

Still, the job was done for Newcastle, who were last in Europe’s top club competition in 2003 when they reached the second group stage before finishing below Barcelona and Inter Milan. These are the types of European heavyweights Newcastle players will mix with next season.

“We beat Juventus 1-0 here and I’ve seen that on DVDs – to hopefully be a part of it and be involved in those nights is something special,” said Newcastle midfielder Sean Longstaff.

Third-placed Newcastle moved one point ahead of Manchester United, who can also guarantee a place in the top four by avoiding defeat at home to Chelsea on Thursday.

United are the only team that can take Liverpool in fifth place.

Playing that fast in the Champions League is likely to exceed the expectations of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, which completed a £300 million ($409 million) buyout of Newcastle in October 2021 and has spent methodically rather than lavishly ever since.

“If you had told us two years ago this was going to happen, we wouldn’t have believed you,” Longstaff said.

Leicester moved above Leeds on goal difference and are second to last, two points behind Everton.

With last-placed Southampton already confirmed as relegated, two of Leeds, Leicester and Everton will also go down.

“We have to win the game,” Leicester defender Harry Souttar said of the game against West Ham. “We’re going into it with a positive attitude and whatever happens, happens.”