Soccer-Newcastle secure Champions League spot on final day despite Everton defeat
Soccer Football - Premier League - Newcastle United v Everton - St James' Park, Newcastle, Britain - May 25, 2025 Newcastle United's Fabian Schar in action with Everton's Beto REUTERS/Scott Heppell
NEWCASTLE, England (Reuters) -Newcastle United squeezed into the Champions League places despite losing 1-0 to Everton at home in their final game of the Premier League season on Sunday, thanks to Manchester United's 2-0 home win over Aston Villa.
The Magpies, who ended a 70-year domestic trophy drought by beating Liverpool to win the League Cup earlier in the season, ended up in fifth place on 66 points, edging out Villa on goal difference.
Newcastle dominated throughout but were undone by poor finishing and sloppy passing and they were punished for giving away the ball in the centre of the pitch in the 65th minute, with Vitaliy Mykoloenko crossing for Carlos Alcaraz to score with a brilliant header.
The home side poured forward late in the second half as they sought to salvage some pride with an equaliser but Everton were in no mood to accommodate them and defended doggedly to the bitter end, finishing their season in 13th place on 48 points.
(Reporting by Philip O'Connor; editing by Clare Fallon)
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