Newcastle United know that a maximum of five points from their final three matches will be enough to book their Champions League ticket next season.
Even on a day when Eddie Howe's team dropped points, the Magpies - who have a far superior goal difference than their rivals - stayed in third place in the Premier League table and that's where they will remain with a one-point advantage, regardless of what happens with Liverpool at Leicester City on Monday night.
With Spurs now unable to finish ahead of Newcastle after losing at Aston Villa, the only other distant threat to the Magpies is Brighton & Hove Albion. But the Seagulls - who can still pick up 70 points - need to beat Arsenal at the Emirates on Super Sunday and would then need to come to St James' Park and win to stay in contention, it feels like too much of an ask.
The fact Newcastle have a goal difference of +32 compared to Man United's paltry +8 gives them a major advantage. Liverpool are closer with +25 but have it all to do and can't afford any mistakes.
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Newcastle are still massive favourites to make the Champions League with odds of 1/8 with the likes of Coral and Ladbrokes tonight. After a battling draw in Yorkshire against Leeds, the Champions League is within grasp of Howe's team.
Liverpool can still finish on 71 points but if Newcastle win all three remaining fixtures they can still bank 75. Perhaps the truth is, the battle for fourth is between the Reds and Man United now.
Eddie Howe gets his wish in terms of overall performance
Howe had challenged his players to bounce back from the Arsenal defeat and they didn't let him down in many ways. Putting aside the defensive lapses, United are close to their best in terms of attack.
They created 18 goal attempts and had 68% possession. There's certainly momentum to take into the clash with Brighton on Thursday.
Beat the Seagulls and they are pretty much there. Especially if there are slip-ups elsewhere in the top-flight.
Callum Wilson on his way to greatness
The number 9 took his tally to 17 goals for the season with his brace at Elland Road. He was again taken off with two goals to his name to deny him a hat-trick.
With 17 in the bag and three games to play he still has an outside chance of being the best goalscorer at Newcastle in the Premier League since 2003/04 when Alan Shearer grabbed 22.
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