Alan Shearer’s expletive reaction to what Newcastle United did v Brighton and Hove Albion

Alan Shearer joined in the celebrations as Newcastle United took a giant step towards securing Champions League qualification on Thursday night.

A 4-1 win over Brighton and Hove Albion at St James’ Park has put Eddie Howe’s men just one win away from sealing a return to Europe’s elite for the first time in 20 years.

Fifth-place Liverpool have been applying the pressure in recent weeks and even moved one point behind Newcastle and Manchester United after Monday’s 3-0 win at Leicester City.

The visit of Brighton, in what was the Magpies’ game in hand, threatened to be a nervy encounter but the Howe’s side managed it from start to finish to open up a vital four-point gap.

An own goal by Deniz Undav in 22nd-minute handed the hosts the lead before Dan Burn scored against his former club on the brink of half-time.

Undav pulled one back shortly after the break but United stayed resolute and surged to victory in the closing stages after goals from Callum Wilson and Bruno Guimaraes.

Victory against Leicester on Monday will seal a top four finish, although that could come earlier if Liverpool slip up against Aston Villa on Saturday.

Whatever happens, Newcastle are on the brink of Champions League football, and Shearer, like every other supporter, couldn’t hide his delight at full-time.

“E I E I E I Ooooo up the @premierleague we go ….. I [swear word] love it,” Shearer tweeted. The 52-year-old also showed his love for Burn and Guimaraes.

Shearer was part of the last Newcastle team, managed by Sir Bobby Robson, to play in the Champions League in 2003.

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