Match ends, Newcastle United 0, Leicester City 0.
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.
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- Can you name Newcastle's last Champions League side in our quiz?
- Reaction from Newcastle v Leicester
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
Avg
- Squad number22Player namePopeAverage rating
6.91
- Squad number2Player nameTrippierAverage rating
6.73
- Squad number14Player nameIsakAverage rating
6.52
- Squad number24Player nameAlmirónAverage rating
6.51
- Squad number4Player nameBotmanAverage rating
6.44
- Squad number10Player nameSaint-MaximinAverage rating
6.33
- Squad number33Player nameBurnAverage rating
6.27
- Squad number23Player nameMurphyAverage rating
6.24
- Squad number5Player nameSchärAverage rating
6.21
- Squad number9Player nameWilsonAverage rating
6.18
- Squad number36Player nameS LongstaffAverage rating
6.08
- Squad number39Player nameBruno GuimarãesAverage rating
6.05
- Squad number32Player nameAndersonAverage rating
6.00
- Squad number8Player nameGordonAverage rating
5.65
Leicester City
Avg
- Squad number15Player nameSouttarAverage rating
6.07
- Squad number6Player nameEvansAverage rating
6.00
- Squad number31Player nameIversenAverage rating
5.90
- Squad number27Player nameCastagneAverage rating
5.74
- Squad number33Player nameThomasAverage rating
5.60
- Squad number25Player nameNdidiAverage rating
5.56
- Squad number3Player nameFaesAverage rating
5.56
- Squad number42Player nameSoumaréAverage rating
5.21
- Squad number8Player nameTielemansAverage rating
5.18
- Squad number9Player nameVardyAverage rating
5.11
- Squad number14Player nameIheanachoAverage rating
5.03
- Squad number7Player nameBarnesAverage rating
5.01
- Squad number10Player nameMaddisonAverage rating
4.99
- Squad number20Player nameDakaAverage rating
4.82
- Squad number24Player nameMendyAverage rating
4.65
Line-ups
Newcastle
Formation 4-3-3
- 22Pope
- 2Trippier
- 5Schär
- 4Botman
- 33Burn
- 36S Longstaff
- 39Bruno GuimarãesBooked at 8mins
- 32AndersonSubstituted forMurphyat 77'minutes
- 24AlmirónSubstituted forGordonat 88'minutes
- 9WilsonSubstituted forSaint-Maximinat 68'minutes
- 14IsakBooked at 27mins
Substitutes
- 1Dúbravka
- 3Dummett
- 8Gordon
- 10Saint-Maximin
- 12Lewis
- 13Targett
- 23Murphy
- 30Ashby
- 81Miley
Leicester
Formation 5-3-2
- 31Iversen
- 27Castagne
- 15Souttar
- 6EvansSubstituted forDakaat 63'minutes
- 3Faes
- 33Thomas
- 25NdidiSubstituted forMendyat 89'minutes
- 8Tielemans
- 42Soumaré
- 14IheanachoSubstituted forMaddisonat 45'minutes
- 9VardySubstituted forBarnesat 63'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Barnes
- 10Maddison
- 12Smithies
- 16Kristiansen
- 18Amartey
- 20Daka
- 24Mendy
- 26Praet
- 37Tetê
- Referee:
- Andre Marriner
- Attendance:
- 52,152
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home78%
- Away22%
- Shots
- Home23
- Away1
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away1
- Corners
- Home12
- Away1
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away5
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Newcastle United 0, Leicester City 0.
Post update
Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Harvey Barnes (Leicester City).
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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.
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Foul by Sean Longstaff (Newcastle United).
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James Maddison (Leicester City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United).
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Harvey Barnes (Leicester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Substitution
Substitution, Leicester City. Nampalys Mendy replaces Wilfred Ndidi because of an injury.
Post update
Delay in match because of an injury Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City).
Substitution
Substitution, Newcastle United. Anthony Gordon replaces Miguel Almirón.
Post update
Corner, Newcastle United. Conceded by Timothy Castagne.
Post update
Fabian Schär (Newcastle United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Patson Daka (Leicester City).
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Foul by Sean Longstaff (Newcastle United).
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Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Newcastle United. Jacob Murphy replaces Elliot Anderson.
Post update
Attempt missed. Miguel Almirón (Newcastle United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
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Comments
Join the conversation
And nine other teams spent more than Newcastle United did over that period.
Take a bow Eddie Howe.
In the first half the team attacking the goal to the left had all the possession, the reverse happened in the second half ...
Play for a draw,
Dean Smith was never the answer.
Much deserved. Monday night will be party night tonight.
Few sore heads in the morning no doubt.