‘Doable’ - Jamie Redknapp makes Newcastle United title claim amid Brighton win

Jamie Redknapp believes a top four finish would be like winning the Premier League title for Newcastle United.

The Magpies are well on their way to securing Champions League football, defeating Brighton 4-1 on Thursday evening to move four points - and seven goals - ahead of fifth placed Liverpool and within three points of sealing the deal with two games remaining. It has been a momentous effort from Eddie Howe’s men, but they have faltered of late, and that added pressure heading into Thursday night.

But Newcastle kept their cool, and they are now within touching distance of finishing the job.

Speaking ahead of the clash, pundit Redknapp spoke about the importance of the Magpies picking up all three points against Brighton, claiming a top four finish will be like ‘winning the title’ for Howe’s men.

“Pressure does crazy things to people,” Redknapp said. “You’ve seen what has happened to Arsenal this year where, all of a sudden, you start to have a few doubts and a wobble. Three huge games, and it doesn’t get any tougher than tonight.

“Six points and it feels like, on paper, that should be doable. But it’s never easy. You try to change things, you are trying to get over the line, and to a certain extent for Newcastle, this is the equivelent of winning the Premier League, it really is for the club. They are trying to attract players, they want to attract the best players, and they want to be playing in the Champions League.

“They have come so far, and you can see Liverpool creeping up behind you like a ghost, hoping you make a mistake, but they are not, they are keeping Newcastle and Manchester United so honest right now. It feels like tonight and the other two games they have got, against Leicester and Chelsea...you don’t want to rely on those games, you want the three points today.”