Eddie Howe answers Champions League question amid Newcastle, Man United & Liverpool battle

Eddie Howe admits Newcastle United are close to sealing Champions League qualification after tonight’s 4-1 win against Brighton and Hove Albion.

The Magpies are now four points ahead of fifth-place Liverpool after taking full advantage of their game in hand.

An own goal by Deniz Undav handed United the lead in the 22nd minute before former Albion defender Dan Burn make it 2-1 inside first-half injury time.

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

Newcastle need just one win from their remaining two games to seal a top four finish. They host relegation-threatened Leicester City on Monday.

“Yeah [we are close], but it is still so far away,” said Howe. “We will enjoy tonight, but then turn our focus towards Leicester. I think we were just pleased with the performance tonight. To beat a side of their quality. We are not looking too far ahead.

“It would be incredible if we could. This is the Premier League and we take nothing for granted. We know how good Leicester are, they are fighting at the other end of the table and our intention is to be the best we can be in this game.”

Howe added: “I think we were excellent in the first half. A really strong performance. Probably kicking ourselves we didn’t take some of the chances. It was always going to make it a bit nervy at 2-1.

“That’s how we want to play. Fast action, high intensity work. To maintain that rhythm throughout is not easy and takes a risk and sometimes they benefit from that risk. Credit to the players.”

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