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:
13. Miguel Almiron (in for Murphy, 68) - 6
Made an OK impact. Will be a disappointed to have not timed his run better after being flagged offside in the build-up to Gordon’s disallowed goal. | Getty Images
14. Harvey Barnes (Isak, 68) - 4.5
Made little impact. Blasted a good chance over the crossbar. | Getty Images
15. Kieran Trippier (on for Hall, 90+1) - N/A
His first appearance in nine weeks. | Getty Images
16. Nick Pope - unused sub
Getty Images