Newcastle United's European fate explained as Eddie Howe accepts situation 'out of our hands'

Eddie Howe accepts that Newcastle United's European fate is now out of their hands but has promised supporters that they will fight until the last moments of the season.

The Magpies slipped to seventh after losing to Manchester United with Chelsea's win at Brighton & Hove Albion meaning they surrendered their Europa League place. Newcastle have now slipped into a Europa Conference League place for now but could lose that if they see Man United better their points tally.

Newcastle face Brentford on Sunday, Man United take on Brighton away and Chelsea have a home game against Bournemouth. If Man City win the FA Cup then Chelsea would get Europa League and seventh spot would get the Conference place which Newcastle occupy.

If Man United win the FA Cup fifth would get Europa League and and sixth would get the Conference League, meaning there is a danger of missing out all together.

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Howe told Chronicle Live: "The control is our performance and result against Brentford. With what happens with Europe, that's now out of our hands. We have to accept that after today. It doesn't mean there is no hope, there is still hope but we will give it everything we can until the end of the season."

Newcastle could still get sixth if they beat Brentford and Chelsea lost to Bournemouth. If they equal Man United's result they will finish in seventh on goal difference and if they lost they'd slip to eighth place if Man United better their points tally.

Reflecting on Newcastle's performance on the night, Howe said: "We had chances to do more, but the way we defended the three goals wasn’t good enough - this season compared to last we have conceded goals. It's something we have to change longer term."

Howe was asked whether Kieran Trippier or Emil Krafth were at fault for the opening goal. But he reflected: "When you look back through the goals we have conceded today there are multiple errors in all three goals.

"I don’t think Man Utd hurt us a great deal but we conceded three goals. We looked good going forward, we did create chances but didn’t get enough bodies in the key chances, but we scored two goals and it should be enough to get something from the game."