Relief as Newcastle claim Champions League place despite Everton loss
LOOKING UP: Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe on the touchline. Pic: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire.
Newcastle 0 Everton 1
The look of relief on Eddie Howe's face was palpable after he became only the fifth English manager to lead his side to two top five finishes as Newcastle booked their place in the Champions League for the second time in three seasons.
But that only starts to scratch at the surface on a day of drama at St James' Park that saw the Magpies choose a particularly bad time to register back-to-back defeats for the first time since October, only to be rescued by a former Sunderland striker in their quest to secure a place at European football's top table.
A late goal from Manchester United striker Amad Diallo, who spent a season on loan at the Stadium of Light two seasons ago, helped to consign 10-man Aston Villa to defeat and ensure Newcastle squeezed home in fifth on goal difference in an unexpectedly tense finish to what was meant to be a celebratory lap of honour on Tyneside.
Another former Black Cat, Everton keeper Jordan Pickford - forever the pantomime villain in this part of the North-East - did his bit in trying to ensure a memorable 24 hours for Wearside at Newcastle's expense as the final day almost fell flat for the hosts, who lost the battle but won the war.
When Carlos Alcaraz headed the visitors in front from a Vitalii Mykolenko cross with 25 minutes left, Howe's side were staring at a deflating end to an otherwise memorable campaign as they looked destined to settle for a Europa League spot.
The mood soon lifted with news of events at Old Trafford and on the back of ending a 70-year wait for a major trophy with the capture of the Carabao Cup in March, it has been campaign to remember for Howe and his troops who were distinctly second best to an Everton side with little to play for - not that it showed.
David Moyes' side belied the fact they would finish 13th regardless of the outcome with a gritty display to leave them beaten just three times in 10 Premier League games on the road since the Scot's return.
Fabian Schar skied a glorious chance to level from close range in stoppage-time, but the visitors deserved a slice of luck for the sheer tenacity of their display as Newcastle fell over the line to leave them with the mouth-watering prospect of a Champions League return next season, Howe following in the footsteps of Kevin Keegan, Roy Evans, Harry Redknapp and Bobby Robson in achieving the feat twice as a manager.
Newcastle (4-4-3): Pope 7; Schar 6, Botman 7 (Trippier 63, 6), Burn 5; Murphy 6 (Wilson 70, 4), Guimaraes 5, Tonali 5, Livramento 7; Barnes 6 (Osula 88, 5), Isak 5, Gordon 5 (Willock 46, 5).
Everton (4-2-3-1): Pickford 8; Young 7, Keane 7, O'Brien 7, Mykolenko 8; Garner 7, Gueye 7; Harrison 6, Alcaraz 8 (Doucoure 76, 6), Ndiaye 6 (McNeil 76, 6); Beto 6 (Calvert-Lewin 88, 6).
Referee: A Harrington