Eddie Howe emerged from his sickbed to help guide Newcastle back into the Premier League’s top three as Ipswich’s stay in the top flight drew to a close.
Howe’s men boosted their Champions League qualification hopes with a 3-0 win at St James’ Park, but with four games remaining they, Manchester City, Chelsea and Nottingham Forest, who have played one fewer, are separated by just two points in the race for Champions League qualification.
Asked how much of a psychological boost it was to be back in third, Howe said: “When you’re running out of games as we are, you want to get back into the positions that you want to be in.
“We know how tight it is, we know the quality of clubs we’re competing against, but all we can do is try to win our games and it was a big step forward today.”
Referee Michael Salisbury proved the central figure during an eventful first-half, ruling out a Bruno Guimaraes opener before sending off Town’s Ben Johnson for a second bookable offence and then awarding the penalty from which Alexander Isak opened the scoring after being advised to review his original decision.
From that point on, the game developed into something of a procession for the hosts with headed goals from Dan Burn and substitute Will Osula eventually wrapping up a comfortable win which sent the visitors down.
It was just what the doctor ordered for Howe on his return from a bout of pneumonia which left him in a slightly different role on the touchline as assistant Jason Tindall took up the reins once again.
Asked how the experience had been for him, the head coach, who confirmed midfielder Joelinton is to see a specialist over the knee injury which prevented his participation, said: “Well, it was great with the result. It makes a big difference.
“I was lacking in energy today, so JT took most of the reins from the touchline. Obviously my ability to shout is reduced, but I’m just pleased that I was able to lead the team and be back out where I love to be.”
Opposite number Kieran McKenna headed back to Suffolk admitting relegation had been all but inevitable for some time, but proud of the club’s meteoric rise.
McKenna, who bemoaned Johnson’s first yellow card for diving as he went down under Dan Burn’s challenge, said: “Coming from League One to the Premier League in two seasons hasn’t been done for a very long time and I’m not sure it will be done in the way we’ve done it again, so there isn’t really a rulebook for that.
“Already people know and can see the jump from the Championship to the Premier League has grown and has become really difficult and we were in a pretty unique position in the summer, so we’ve tried to act in the best interests of the long-term future of the club while still giving us a chance to be competitive this year.”
Oliver Glasner conceded that Crystal Palace were at least mathematically more likely to secure their first major silverware after they booked their place in the FA Cup final with a 3-0 triumph over Aston Villa at Wembley.Ismaila Sarr recorded a second-half brace after Eberechi Eze opened the scoring in the 31st minute, though the winning margin could have been even greater had Jean-Philippe Mateta...
Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson commended his side for making history after they completed a hat-trick of promotions to seal a place in the second tier.Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat of Charlton means the hosts have now sealed their third promotion in as many seasons.The Red Dragons started brighter and had a two-goal lead inside the opening 18 minutes.Ollie Rathbone found the back of the net first ...
Hearts have parted company with head coach Neil Critchley following Saturday’s 1-0 home loss to Dundee.Critchley had been in the job for six months, succeeding Steven Naismith in October.His and assistant Mike Garrity’s departure comes with the Jambos having claimed only one point from their last four William Hill Premiership matches as well as losing out in the semi-final of the Scott...
Southend moved into the National League play-off places with a 3-0 home win over a Wealdstone outfit now lying in the relegation zone.Ben Goodliffe headed the Shrimpers in front in the eighth minute, connecting with Gus Scott-Morriss’ cross, and Charley Kendall doubled the advantage with a strike just past the hour mark.Goodliffe almost scored again in the 83rd minute as he saw another heade...
Ismaila Sarr scored two second-half goals as Crystal Palace booked their place in the FA Cup final for a third time following a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa at Wembley.Eberechi Eze opened the scoring with a lovely finish in the 31st minute – assisted by Sarr – but a missed penalty from Jean-Philippe Mateta after the restart added extra drama in the second half.Ollie Watkins started for...
Sam Smith inspired Wrexham to a 3-0 win over Charlton as they confirmed their third promotion in a row, sealing a place in the Championship in front of Hollywood owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds.The hosts took an early lead through Ollie Rathbone, who struck first time from the edge of the box in the 16th minute and found the bottom corner.The Welsh side doubled their advantage two minutes ...
Ian Holloway hopes Swindon and Gillingham can put their bad blood behind them after their feisty 1-1 draw.There is an old storied rivalry between the two clubs and there were handbags late on, which resulted in Joe Gbode’s late sending off.Gbode put the hosts in front before Will Wright levelled with a brilliant free-kick six minutes later.Gillingham ended the game with nine men after Gbode ...
Steve Bruce was left fuming after “the worst penalty decision I’ve seen in a long time” denied the Blackpool boss what could have been a winning return to former club Wigan as an entertaining game ended 1-1.Wigan led from the fourth minute, when Jon Mellish’s left-wing delivery somehow crept in at the near post past an embarrassed Harry Tyrer in the Blackpool goal.However, ...
Bromley boss Andy Woodman hailed his players’ never-say-die attitude after their thrilling 3-3 draw at Barrow.The visitors came from behind three times as Michael Cheek, Nicke Kabamba – his first for the club – and Omar Sowunmi’s stoppage-time leveller cancelled out Ben Whitfield’s penalty and efforts from Isaac Fletcher and Elliot Newby.“It was an end-of-season...
Burton boss Gary Bowyer remains grounded as his side moved to the brink of League One safety and relegated Cambridge with a last gasp 2-1 victory.Dylan Williams bagged his first league goal in added on time to push the Brewers to within a point of safety although their superior goal difference over Crawley and Bristol Rovers makes them overwhelming favourites to survive.“It was a win that sy...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Liverpool interested in signing Mason Greenwood
- 3 Man Utd & Man City join PSG in race for Akliouche
- 4 We always have a chance – Miron Muslic bullish as Plymouth boost survival hopes
- 5 Tottenham to compete with Man City for defender
- 6 Ancelotti in Brazil job talks
- 7 Andy Carroll and girlfriend put on loved-up display on holiday
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 Daily Laugh - Totttenham 1-2 N Forest
- 10 Conor Gallagher's girlfriend dazzles on red carpet as stars gather in Madrid