The good news just keeps on coming for Newcastle United fans…
Newcastle’s £35 million deal to sell Andy Carroll is looking better by the second.
When the striker rose to head home the FA Cup semi-final winner against Everton, it more or less guaranteed the Magpies a Europa League berth.
Liverpool will take on Chelsea in the FA Cup, with both sides more or less qualified for Europe.
The Premier League’s top six finishers will be guaranteed European football, with Newcastle sitting pretty in fifth- aiming for fourth.
Only a late, and unlikely charge from Everton could deny Newcastle, but considering the 12 point gap with five games to go, that one can be chalked off as fantasy that not even the most optimistic Evertonian would believe.
Newcastle can now focus on charging for fourth place, now they have the Europa place locked in as a minimum.
They are level on points with Spurs in the league, and have far more momentum going into the final five games of the season.
Yesterday’s second FA Cup semi-final was the next piece of good news for Alan Pardew’s side.
Watching Tottenham be dismantled by Chelsea was pleasant viewing for Newcastle, who saw a side being sapped of their confidence even further.
The way Spurs crumbled late on was reflective of their season, and there is every chance they will continue their struggles over the remaining games.
What Newcastle did not want to see was a rejuvenated Spurs taking Chelsea apart- and that did not happen.
Chelsea have too many tough fixtures – away at Arsenal and Liverpool and Champions League distractions to be taken too seriously in the race for fourth, already two points behind, but should not be completely ruled out.
It is Chelsea’ Champions League exploits which could really ruin Newcastle’s season.
The cruelest of all scenarios is Newcastle upset the odds by reaching fourth, and Chelsea stun everybody by winning the Champions League- relegating Newcastle to the Europa.
Which is why every Geordie will be supporting Barcelona when they play Chelsea in midweek.
Can Newcastle clinch Champions League football? Let us know your predictions.
image: © mikebrown59
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