‘Not sure’ - Gary Lineker makes Leicester City claim as Newcastle United secure top four spot

Gary Lineker has tweeted following Newcastle United’s draw with Leicester City on Monday night.

The Magpies officially secured a Champions League spot for next season on Monday after drawing at home with the struggling Foxes. Eddie Howe’s men dominated the vast majority of the game, racking up 23 shots and 78% possession, hitting the woodwork on more than one occasion, but they couldn’t find a breakthrough.

Fortunately for Newcastle, Liverpool’s drasw with Aston Villa over the weekend meant they only needed a point to secure a top four spot, returning to the Champions League after more than two decades.

As for Leicester, the point only gives them marginal benefit, taking them above Leeds but keeping them two points from safety, albeit with a better goal difference than Everton above them. If the Toffees win on the last day, Leicester will be relegated, while the Foxes will have to win and hope Everton don’t to survive.

It’s for that reason Dean Smith went for an extremely defensive approach at St James’ Park, even resisting starting talents Harvey Barnes and James Maddison in a bid to prevent going behind. Smith’s plan almost paid off, too, with the Foxes holding on for Timothy Castagne to come mightily close to stealing a win late on.

But Newcastle’s dominance was undeniable, and even Leicester fan Lineker couldn’t keep a straight face - well, emoji - when he joked on Twitter: “Not sure how @LCFC have not won that game. Dominant throughout (woozy face emoji).”