Newcastle United's European bid handed boost by former Magpies academy star

Newcastle United’s bid to secure European football for the second consecutive received an unexpected boost on Sunday afternoon.

Eddie Howe’s men sit a massive 15 points adrift of the Champions League places following Saturday night’s 4-1 defeat at Arsenal and remain seven points behind sixth placed Manchester United. The top six in the Premier League are guaranteed to secure a place in one of UEFA’s three European competitions next season - but seventh place will also sneak into continental competitions after Liverpool’s Carabao Cup win over Chelsea handed the Premier League an additional place in Europe.

The Reds currently lead the Premier League table and are pushing to secure a second title under Jurgen Klopp before his departure at the end of the season. The Anfield club are all but assured a place in the top six with just 12 games of the season remaining and that means the team that ends the season in seventh place will be entered into next season’s Europa Conference League. As it stands, Brighton occupy seventh place and the Seagulls sit just two points and two places above Eddie Howe’s side.

There were North East connections in the Liverpool squad that landed the second and final Carabao Cup Final win over Klopp’s reign after former Magpies academy midfielder Bobby Clark came on to replace Connor Bradley with just under 20 minutes remaining at Wembley. He was joined by Northumberland-born midfielder James McConnell as he replaced World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister with three minutes remaining in normal time.

However, it was an experienced head that claimed major silverware as a fine header from Reds captain Virgil van Dijk ensured the Carabao Cup returned to Merseyside - and gave a boost to hopes of European football returning to Tyneside next season.