Newcastle in Champions League after 20-year wait with Leicester draw

Newcastle secured Champions League football for the first time in 20 years with a goalless draw against relegation-threatened Leicester, whose fate is now out of their hands.

Eddie Howe's side failed to break the deadlock in a match they dominated, striking the post three times, but the result was sufficient for the Magpies to make a long-awaited return to Europe's elite competition next season.

Newcastle are four points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool heading into Sunday's final day of the season, while Leicester remain in the relegation zone, two points adrift of safety.

The hosts had 78% possession during the contest and initially found it difficult to make inroads, but Callum Wilson hooked an effort against the post and saw his follow-up effort headed off the line by Wilfred Ndidi.

Three minutes before half-time the hosts rattled the post again through Miguel Almiron, while in the second half visiting goalkeeper Daniel Iversen acrobatically tipped over Alexander Isak's effort from distance.

Bruno Guimaraes also hit the woodwork with a header from almost on the goalline in the second period, but Leicester almost won it in injury time when Nick Pope kept out Timothy Castagne's acrobatic effort.

Foxes boss Dean Smith started England internationals James Maddison and Harvey Barnes on the bench but neither was able to inject any impetus into their dull performance after coming on.

Toon back in the big time

It was the 2002-03 season, under the guidance of legendary manager Sir Bobby Robson, when Newcastle last played in Europe's elite club competition.

Howe's men will be back in the big time following a tremendous first full season in charge in which the ex-Bournemouth boss has upset the established order with a place in the top four, as well as taking them to the Carabao Cup final.

It has been a remarkable turnaround since Howe took charge 18 months ago, one month after the Saudi Arabian-backed £305m takeover of Newcastle and with the club five points from safety at the foot of the Premier League.

A tremendous atmosphere was generated by the home fans before kick-off, waving their flags and unfurling a huge banner of Howe and the team, and although they were unable to break the deadlock, they left the stadium singing about Champions League football.

Wilson, who had scored 11 goals in his past 10 games before this encounter, came inches from adding to his tally, while Almiron and Guimaraes also came mightily close.

The Brazil midfielder, though, was lucky to still be on the pitch after receiving only a yellow card for a studs-high challenge on the knee of Leicester midfielder Boubakary Soumare.

Newcastle will aim to complete a successful season on a high on Sunday, travelling to face Chelsea hoping to secure third position.

Leicester left wondering

Leicester host West Ham on the last day hoping the Hammers have taken their eye off the ball with their top-flight place secure and a Europa Conference League final to look forward to.

But they go into that game knowing even a win might not be enough as 17th placed Everton can guarantee their Premier League status with victory over Bournemouth at Goodison Park.

The result at Newcastle extended Leicester's run to just one win in their past 15 games, earning just seven points during that run, and they are favourites to join Southampton in the second tier.

Supporters will be left wondering how the match may have panned out had key players Maddison and Barnes been given starts instead of being left on the bench.

Castagne's acrobatic effort in the 92nd minute almost secured a shock victory, but their defence did at least manage to keep a first clean sheet in the league since November.

Player of the match

PopeNick Pope

Newcastle United

Squad number22Player namePope

Squad number2Player nameTrippier

Squad number14Player nameIsak

Squad number24Player nameAlmirón

Squad number4Player nameBotman

Squad number10Player nameSaint-Maximin

Squad number33Player nameBurn

Squad number23Player nameMurphy

Squad number5Player nameSchär

Squad number9Player nameWilson

Squad number36Player nameS Longstaff

Squad number39Player nameBruno Guimarães

Squad number32Player nameAnderson

Squad number8Player nameGordon

Leicester City

Squad number15Player nameSouttar

Squad number6Player nameEvans

Squad number31Player nameIversen

Squad number27Player nameCastagne

Squad number33Player nameThomas

Squad number25Player nameNdidi

Squad number3Player nameFaes

Squad number42Player nameSoumaré

Squad number8Player nameTielemans

Squad number9Player nameVardy

Squad number14Player nameIheanacho

Squad number7Player nameBarnes

Squad number10Player nameMaddison

Squad number20Player nameDaka

Squad number24Player nameMendy

Line-ups

Newcastle

Formation 4-3-3

22Pope

2Trippier5Schär4Botman33Burn

36S Longstaff39Bruno Guimarães32Anderson

24Almirón9Wilson14Isak

Substitutes

Leicester

Formation 5-3-2

31Iversen

27Castagne15Souttar6Evans3Faes33Thomas

25Ndidi8Tielemans42Soumaré

14Iheanacho9Vardy

Substitutes

Live Text

Match ends, Newcastle United 0, Leicester City 0.

Second Half ends, Newcastle United 0, Leicester City 0.

Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Harvey Barnes (Leicester City).

Attempt saved. Timothy Castagne (Leicester City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by James Maddison with a cross.

Foul by Sean Longstaff (Newcastle United).

James Maddison (Leicester City) wins a free kick on the right wing.

Foul by Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United).

Harvey Barnes (Leicester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Delay over. They are ready to continue.

Substitution, Leicester City. Nampalys Mendy replaces Wilfred Ndidi because of an injury.

Delay in match because of an injury Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City).

Substitution, Newcastle United. Anthony Gordon replaces Miguel Almirón.

Corner, Newcastle United. Conceded by Timothy Castagne.

Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Foul by Patson Daka (Leicester City).

Foul by Sean Longstaff (Newcastle United).

Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

Substitution, Newcastle United. Jacob Murphy replaces Elliot Anderson.

Attempt missed. Miguel Almirón (Newcastle United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.

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