Newcastle United clinches spot in UEFA Champions League
In May 2022, Newcastle United was on its way to another bottom-half finish in the English Premier League. On Monday the club completed a years-long turn around clinching a spot in the next UEFA Champions League after a 0-0 draw at home against Leicester City.
Despite dominating the first half, Newcastle failed to score and required late heroics from keeper Nick Pope in injury time before it secured its best finish in the Premier League since 2011-12 (70 points).
For Newcastle fans, the achievement is proof that a dark era in the club's history is finally behind it. Following a fifth-place finish in 2011-12, the club was unable to sustain the success, finishing just above the relegation zone the next season and falling out of the league completely for one season after an 18th-place finish in 2015-16.
While the club earned promotion back to the EPL the following season, it continued to toil in mediocrity under managers Rafa Benetiz and Steve Bruce. In October 2021, however, something finally went right as the club was purchased by a Saudi-led consortium.
Four years after owner Mike Ashley officially confirmed he was looking to sell Newcastle, the team suddenly had owners with deep pockets and a willingness to spend money to improve the team. They went on a spending spree highlighted by the additions of striker Alexander Isak and manager Eddie Howe.
The result has been a magnificent for Newcastle, which earned its third appearance in the top tournament in Europe.
For Leicester City, the result leaves it in grave danger of returning to the Championship for the first time since its promotion to Premier League following the 2013-14 season.
The Foxes have been a fixture in the league since their miracle run to the EPL title in 2016 behind stars Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, but they now sit in the first relegation spot with just one match remaining.
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