It was by no means the prettiest of methods, but Newcastle United are back in the Champions League.
Despite losing to Everton at St James’ Park on the final day of the season, the Magpies’ hard work has paid off, and they are back in Europe’s top competition.
Eddie Howe will be furious with the way his side performed on Sunday, but that can all be forgotten about as Champions League football has been confirmed for the 2025/26 campaign.
Qualification also means that Newcastle United sporting director Paul Mitchell will have plenty of freedom to spend in the summer transfer window to give Howe a big opportunity to push on next season.
While there were lots of celebrations on the pitch at the final whistle, it was a tense atmosphere at St James’ Park before qualification was secured. At one point, winger Harvey Barnes was spotted doing one thing fans will absolutely love.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Harvey Barnes calms nerves at St James’ Park after Newcastle United loss
Newcastle’s defeat to Everton will be forgotten about, because the Magpies got to where they needed to be in the end despite a lacklustre performance.
The atmosphere around St James’ Park was electric, but the players on the pitch had no clue what the other Premier League results were until Barnes came sprinting onto the pitch to share the good news.
In a clip caught by Lee Ryder, Barnes can be seen running onto the pitch after full-time to inform his teammates of results elsewhere.
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Fortunately, Aston Villa were well beaten by Manchester United at Old Trafford, so they secured fifth place in the table. The crowd chanted “Europe again, ole, ole” in the final minutes of the game, but then the scoreboard showed that they had done enough to return to the Champions League, and the celebrations on the pitch began.
St James’ Park audition for one Everton star against Newcastle United
Qualification means the club will spend money on transfers in the summer window, and big-name players are likely to join.
One player who has been linked with a move to Newcastle is Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The England international is set to leave the Toffees on a free transfer this summer, and reports have claimed Newcastle are interested in his services.
However, Everton have started contract talks with Calvert-Lewin to try and tempt him to stay at the club long-term, but nothing has been confirmed yet.
The 28-year-old was a late substitute on Sunday and had a big chance to double Everton’s lead late on, but Nick Pope managed to keep his effort out and keep the score at 1-0.
Newcastle are also linked with Liam Delap, who sat down with club officials ahead of the final game of the season over a £30m move.