Newcastle United's Europe state of play as Tottenham stutter and Chelsea enjoy late surge
Newcastle United and Chelsea simply cannot stop scoring, and winning, as the two clubs find form at the perfect time in the race for Europe. Tottenham Hotspur, on the other hand, are sinking like a stone and are now in real danger of losing out on fifth spot in the Premier League.
Ange Postecoglou's side were being tipped for a title tilt in the opening months of the season but now look like a wounded fighter in desperate need of the bell. The north London outfit's top four hopes were dashed again after Sunday's 4-2 loss to Liverpool at Anfield - and they are now looking over their shoulder at a resurgent and confident Newcastle.
Eddie Howe's side got the job done in style over the weekend, cruising to their fourth win in five over Burnley at Turf Moor. The three points mean Newcastle have now picked up 56 points, four less than Tottenham with just three games to go.
READ MORE: Eddie Howe is right to want mentality 'monster' Callum Wilson to stay at Newcastle United
READ MORE: Touching away end moment for Sean Longstaff as Newcastle star reveals Eddie Howe's unseen support
Chelsea have also started to find their feet at the business end of the season and put down a real marker on Sunday, beating London rivals West Ham United 5-0 at Stamford Bridge, subsequently ending the Hammers' faint hopes of catching Newcastle.
Mauricio Pochettino's side are now up to seventh, two points behind the Magpies and level on points with Manchester United on 54 points. Erik ten Hag's side face Crystal Palace on Monday evening and now know they have work to do when it comes to playing catch up.
Given UEFA's coefficient rankings, and English clubs struggling in Europe this season, the Premier League will not receive an additional Champions League place for the revamped competition next term. Instead, fifth and sixth should result in a Europa League spot, with seventh taking Europa Conference League.
However, should Manchester United finish below sixth but win the FA Cup final this month, they will book a spot in the Europa League. It is all to play for with Newcastle scheduled to go to Old Trafford before the campaign ends.
Quizzed about his side's Euro push, Howe said: "It is about our results. You could see today our desire and I could sense that pre-game in training. We have a really good group who want to get back into Europe.
"We know we're going to have to win games to qualify for Europe and we know it's going to be tight. We're up against top quality teams and Chelsea are in a good vein of form too so I think it will go right to the wire."