Newcastle United of the English Premier League (EPL) has qualified for next season’s European Football Association (UEFA) Champions League by securing at least a fourth-place finish in the league.
Newcastle played Leicester City to a 0-0 draw in the 37th round of the 2022-2023 EPL at St. James’ Park in Newcastle, England, on Wednesday (Aug. 23).
With the valuable point, third-place Newcastle has 19 wins, 13 draws, and five losses (70 points) and has opened up a four-point gap on fifth-place Liverpool (66 points).
With both Newcastle and Liverpool having one game in hand, Newcastle has secured at least fourth place regardless of the outcome of the final 38 rounds. This gives Newcastle a Champions League spot, which is awarded to the fourth-place finisher in the league.
Currently in fourth place is Manchester United (69 points) with two games remaining.
It’s been 21 years since Newcastle qualified for the Champions League since the 2002-2003 season.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, who took over in November 2021 after the club was languishing in 19th place out of 20 clubs, has delivered results in just his second season in charge.
“You always have to hope and dream,” Howe said, “but I saw us fighting in the relegation zone and not in the top four. We came together and became a better team. I can’t believe the mentality of the players and their attitude to football.”
Leicester, Everton, and Leeds United, meanwhile, remain in a three-way tie for the last place in the table with a game in hand.메이저사이트
EPL places 18-20 are relegated to the Championship (second tier) next season. Last-place Southampton (24 points) is already relegated.
Seventeenth-place Everton has 33 points, while 18th-place Leicester and 19th-place Leeds are tied at 31. Their fates will be decided in the final 38 rounds.
Leeds, in particular, will play their last game against Son Heung-min’s club Tottenham. The final round of the EPL will take place on the 29th.