Newcastle 0 – 1 Everton – MC Global Concept

Newcastle will play in the Champions League next season despite a 1-0 defeat to Everton on a tension-filled final day at St James’ Park.

Carlos Alcaraz’s 65th-minute strike silenced the home crowd as Everton took a dramatic lead and Newcastle momentarily dropped out of the top five.

However, as Newcastle struggled to break down Everton, there were soon roars from the home fans as news filtered through of Man Utd’s goals against 10-player Aston Villa, which saw Newcastle move back up into the Champions League places.

It wasn’t pretty from Newcastle on what was an afternoon full of anxiety for everyone associated with the club, and no equaliser came, but it did not matter as results elsewhere, including United’s 2-0 over Villa, went their way to ensure Eddie Howe’s side will be back in the Champions League after just one year away.

Victory would have been enough to end the tension, but Newcastle were nervy, and after an initial onslaught by the hosts subsided, David Moyes’ Everton worked their way into the game.

Both goalkeepers were called into the action towards the end of the first half. Jordan Pickford tipped over a Sven Botman’s header as it reared up off the turf and then he blocked the defender’s near-post shot as the Magpies forced a series of corners, but Nick Pope had to be equally resilient to prevent Alcaraz’s 39th-minute header from sneaking under his crossbar.

Joe Willock replaced Anthony Gordon at the interval and Eddie Howe shifted from a back three to a four, but concern mounted for Newcastle with 25 minutes remaining when Alcaraz rose to head Vitalii Mykolenko’s cross past the stranded Pope to hand the visitors a deserved lead.

Pickford parried Isak’s 68th-minute piledriver and then saw Fabian Schar and substitute Kieran Trippier fire inches wide as Newcastle felt the Champions League slipping from their grasp, but the news of Amad Diallo’s goal at Old Trafford soon changed the St James’ Park mood.

The equaliser didn’t come for Newcastle, but a second Man Utd goal against Villa eased the tension before the final whistles at both St James’ Park Old Trafford sounded as Howe and his side celebrated a second trip to Europe’s top table in three seasons and their Carabao Cup success.

In pictures: Newcastle’s rollercoaster afternoon

Howe: Active summer ahead of the Champions League

Newcastle boss Howe was quickly looking ahead to next season, stressing the importance of a big summer ahead of their return to the Champions League.

“The achievement is huge,” stated Howe. “Naturally, when we lose the game, there is a disappointment. I think we have to override that with the 38 games of the season to qualify for the competition. It is a huge moment for the club.

“I do think it’s a window we have to be active in and I’m sure we will be. We haven’t recruited strongly in three windows and I think eventually that catches up with you continue not to change.

“We felt that potentially last summer which is why it’s an amazing achievement from the players to see this season through. But yes, it is going to be a big transfer window for us.”

Guimaraes: Nothing better than Champions League

Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes:

“Today was not our day, but the Premier League is 38 games, not just one. I think we deserve it a lot to be in the Champions League.

“A [domestic] trophy after 70 years and qualifying for the Champions League. What a time to be at Newcastle United. Frustrated about the game today but there’s nothing better today than Champions League.”

‘A brilliant season for Newcastle’

Sky Sports’ Roy Keane:

“We didn’t see defeat to Everton coming but the table doesn’t lie.

“Over the course of the season they deserve that right and they had that little bit of luck with the Aston Villa goal being disallowed, but you can’t begrudge them that little bit of success.

“They’ve had their injury problems like everyone else. They mentioned there they need players but every club will be saying the same.”

Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp:

“Getting into the Champions League doesn’t just help with recruiting players but also keeping players.

“Alexander Isak is a big part of that but that conversation becomes easier when you’ve got Champions League football. Bruno Guimaraes as well, he’s been wonderful for them this season.

“It’s been a brilliant season for them but last time they were in the Champions League, you need a squad and you need to be able to rotate.

“That’s where they struggled and they do need a few more players. But to do what they’ve done this season and win a first trophy in such a long time and getting Champions League football, it’s been a brilliant season for them.”