Roy Keane
Roy Keane (Image: Sky Sports)
Roy Keane has insisted the 'table doesn't lie' after Newcastle United qualified for the Champions League - despite the Magpies losing on the final day.
Newcastle needed to beat Everton at St James' Park on Sunday to keep their fate in their own hands in the race for the top five.
However, Newcastle ended up suffering a 1-0 defeat against the Toffees to leave Fabian Schar and one or two of his team-mates crestfallen on the turf at full-time.
News soon filtered through that Manchester United had beaten Aston Villa 2-0, though, which meant that Newcastle finished fifth and took the final Champions League spot.
Aston Villa have since written to the PGMOL after Unai Emery's side controversially had a 'goal' disallowed when the score was still goalless at Old Trafford, but Keane stressed that Newcastle deserved to qualify.
"The table doesn't lie," the former Aston Villa assistant manager told Sky Sports. "Over the course of the season, they have earned that right.
"They deserve it. A little bit of luck with the goal going against Villa, but you can't begrudge them that little bit of success.
"They have had injury problems like everybody else. They mentioned they need players - every club will be saying that at the end of the season. But the table has taken care of itself and they have just about deserved it.
"The way he's [Eddie Howe] managed it, the recruitment side of it, his hands have been tied a little bit. He was not well a few months ago.
"He's had a lot of challenges like lots of managers out there. It's been a bit of a rollercoaster, but his temperament for that job suits him down to the ground.
"He never seems to get too high or too low. The results have been fantastic. He has done an amazing job up there."
Here at ChronicleLive, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Newcastle United coverage and analysis.
Make sure you don't miss out on the latest NUFC news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day's biggest stories.
And, finally, if you would rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Everything is Black and White podcast. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.