Newcastle United’s European qualification hopes were wounded after being held to a 1-1 by Brighton and Hove Albion.
Joel Veltman opened the scoring before Sean Longstaff levelled in the first-half stoppage time. The Magpies pushed for a winner in the second interval but couldn’t find a breakthrough.
The draw sees Newcastle remain sixth in the Premier League table but wins for Chelsea tonight and Manchester United on Sunday will put all three teams on the same number of points.
Eddie Howe’s side travel to Old Trafford on Wednesday in a potential decider before visit Brentford on the final day.
After easing past Burnley last weekend, Howe was forced into one change to his Newcastle starting XI with the injured Callum Wilson replaced by Elliot Anderson.
With the sun beaming, and beers flowing, for the Magpies’ final home match of the 2023-24 Premier League season, the St James’ Park crowd was electric come kick-off but Joel Veltman’s opener 18 minutes in quickly tempered the noise.
An in-swinging corner by Pascal Gross was knocked on to Veltman to prod home at the back post. The Dutchman was later forced off as Tariq Lamptey came on.
Both teams continued to have their chances as United deservedly equalised on the brink of half-time when Elliot Anderson’s cross was directed home by Longstaff for his eighth goal of the campaign.
Howe introduced Harvey Barnes, Miguel Almiron and Joelinton with 22 minutes to go in an attempt to find a winner but that didn’t arrive.
Here’s my Newcastle United player ratings:
9. Jacob Murphy - 5
Put in an excellent display at Burnley last week but didn’t get anywhere near those levels today. Another player who lacked a cutting edge in the final third. | Getty Images
10. Anthony Gordon - 6
Played a key role for Longstaff’s equaliser but otherwise had an off-day. His decision-making in the final third was uncharacteristically poor. | Getty Images
11. Alexander Isak - 5.5
Latched onto a ball in behind by Guimaraes but saw his shot saved by Bert Verbruggen in what was the Swede’s only effort at goal. Hooked with 20 minutes to go, much to the surprise of the St James’ Park crowd. | Getty Images
12. Joelinton (on for Longstaff, 68) - 5
Graced the St James’ Park turf for the first time since December but couldn’t help his team find a winner. | Getty Images