Howe urges Toon players to sprint to finish line with Europe in sight

Eddie Howe wants Newcastle to finish the season strongly

Eddie Howe wants Newcastle to finish the season strongly

Eddie Howe has told Newcastle their resounding Premier League victory over Brighton will count for nothing if they do not beat Leicester to clinch a Champions League place. 

The Magpies survived a test of their top-four credentials at St James' Park on Thursday evening when they defended a 2-1 lead in the face of a determined Seagulls backlash before eventually killing off the game to win 4-1. 

As a result, they climbed four points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool with both clubs having two games left and will play in the Champions League next season if either the Reds lose at home to Aston Villa on Saturday or they beat the Foxes on Tyneside two days later. 

Asked if he could put into words how big a win it was, Howe said: "It's a huge win for us.

"I know it's a bit of a cliche but it won't mean anything if we don’t back it up on Monday night and that's an incredibly difficult game. 

"After the high of today and what we've given in the match, we know we have to repeat it. 

"Nothing is given to you in the Premier League. 

"We know Leicester's qualities, so we have to be very calm, recover well and we have to have the same focus and mentality that we had today"

Newcastle looked to be cruising to victory when Deniz Undav's own goal and a second from Dan Burn sent them in at the break 2-0 ahead. 

But Undav made amends within six minutes of the restart to spark something of a fightback before Callum Wilson and Bruno Guimaraes struck at the death. 

Howe's side cannot now finish any lower than fifth and are assured of Europa League football at worst.