Aston Villa took the lead against Liverpool at Anfield after 27 minutes through Ramsey, and as it looked like Villa would win the game and Newcastle would therefore officially qualify for the top four, Firmino equalized after 89 minutes.
But with Liverpool drawing 1-1, that now means that Newcastle only need to draw on Monday night: we in fact need one point in the last 2 games to ensure we qualify for Champions League.
But even if Liverpool can win their last game, at bottom of the league Southampton, and we lose our final 2 games, we could still top the Reds on goal difference.
And even though the referee played a ridiculous 10 minutes of added time to let the Reds score the winner, they didn’t do that.
Here is the latest Premier League table after today’s games, where Manchester United won at Bournemouth with a goal from Casemiro after 9 minutes.
| Club | Matches | Goal Diff. | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Man City | 38 | 61 | 89 |
| 2 | Arsenal | 38 | 45 | 84 |
| 3 | Man United | 38 | 15 | 75 |
| 4 | Newcastle | 38 | 35 | 71 |
| 5 | Liverpool | 38 | 28 | 67 |
| 6 | Brighton | 38 | 19 | 62 |
| 7 | Aston Villa | 38 | 5 | 61 |
| 8 | Tottenham | 38 | 7 | 60 |
| 9 | Brentford | 38 | 12 | 59 |
| 10 | Fulham | 38 | 2 | 52 |
We are sure that Eddie Howe will say we need to beat Leicester on Monday night to make absolutely sure – and why not on our last home game of this magnificent season.
In fact, Eddie Howe will desperately want to win our final two games, with the last game being at Chelsea on Sunday, 28th May.
And why not, indeed.
🙂
Also, if we win our final two games, we will finish 3rd top above Manchester United on goal difference, even if the Red Devils also win their final two games.
HWTL!
Comments welcome.
311 comments so far
Vask
May 20, 2023 at 5:14 PM
Comment #1So one point does it.
Pottsclock
May 20, 2023 at 5:16 PM
Comment #2That 10 mins ET added on for Liverpool was disgraceful.
cleveleysbob
May 20, 2023 at 5:19 PM
Comment #3We should still play to win both games – Eddie’s way!
Don’t want to risk the GD situation with Southampton being Pool’s final game. 🙂
catchy in norway
May 20, 2023 at 5:19 PM
Comment #4happy days
the crown princes nashers
May 20, 2023 at 5:21 PM
Comment #5its always been in our own hands, draw with villa good result for us, man shite who cares what they do, see on monday what comes but it wont be an easy game leicester are fighting relegation they be up for it, ive no doubt eddie howe will put this in the mind of the players for monday
Toon Fans Good
May 20, 2023 at 5:22 PM
Comment #6The offside was same as Longstaff anderson against Forest
the crown princes nashers
May 20, 2023 at 5:23 PM
Comment #7now who says VAR and refs does not work for liVARfool, 17 minutes in a full match added on for what id love to know and its always them who seem to get it
Toon Fans Good
May 20, 2023 at 5:23 PM
Comment #8Surely we can get 1 point at home to Leicester. Shirley? We will need the win if we want 3rd but who cares as long as we get top 4
ottawageordie2
May 20, 2023 at 5:24 PM
Comment #9Interesting comment by Neves:
Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves: “We wanted to win the game. We knew they would take risks – they’re fighting for their Premier League lives. The only thing I can say is the nine minutes [of stoppage time]. I asked the ref why. He said they’ve been asked to play exact times. I don’t know why they haven’t been doing it all season. If you want to do it, you need to do it all season and not only in the last two games.
Sounds like the FA are doing there best to help the Pool. What a joke!
Toon Fans Good
May 20, 2023 at 5:25 PM
Comment #1010 minutes was a joke only stoppage was for moreno injury and offside check but no way was it 10 mins
Toon Fans Good
May 20, 2023 at 5:27 PM
Comment #11Chelsea have us and man u as last 2 games. They’ll decide who gets 3rd
Raj of Hailsley
May 20, 2023 at 5:27 PM
Comment #12It’s not a plus seven GD, of it goes down to GD we’re already on at least a -5, we’ll beat Leicester anyway.
jane
May 20, 2023 at 5:28 PM
Comment #13i’m pleased Newcastle need a point to make the Leicester match meaningful.
Small World
May 20, 2023 at 5:30 PM
Comment #14ottawageordie2: Good shout.
The normal procedure is that refs and teams are briefed in the pre-season as regards any changes to the laws of the game, and how they will be interpreted for the whole of that season.
JohnJ
May 20, 2023 at 5:32 PM
Comment #15I’ll be amazed if we don’t get one single point against Leicester at home or Chelsea at Stamford Bridge!
Howay the Lads!
Oh and come on Wor lasses as well…….
investinyouthtoon
May 20, 2023 at 5:35 PM
Comment #16niafron I believe a win and we’d be 3 points ahead of manure with a GD of more than 25 better than theirs.
shaun83
May 20, 2023 at 5:36 PM
Comment #17We have an advantage of 6 as they have better goals scored, for them to have a chance of catching us on goal diff it means we would have to have lost both our next games, so could easily be that Liverpool would need to win by 3-4, not outrageous away at Southampton. Think we’ll get the point anyway though…think nothing changes for Leicester in that we have to go out for the win
shaun83
May 20, 2023 at 5:37 PM
Comment #18Investinyouth – Man Utd have two left to play?
AnyToon in Indiana
May 20, 2023 at 5:38 PM
Comment #19I still think we will win the last 2. After the last game they will want to go out on a high and grab that 3rd place spot. Only concern on Monday will be injuries and fatigue but hopefully they’re having a good restful weekend
shaun83
May 20, 2023 at 5:39 PM
Comment #20Not a conspiracy theorist but 10mins added time, and the game starting significantly later than the Man Utd game all smells a bit off doesn’t it!
investinyouthtoon
May 20, 2023 at 5:41 PM
Comment #21Oh damn I thought it was one as it hadn’t updated after today’s match. But yes they have 2 left, one vs Chelsea and one vs Fulham.
At least a point on Monday would do, as it would guarantee top 4 and rain on Klopps parade.
shaun83
May 20, 2023 at 5:44 PM
Comment #22If Leicester defend like they did against Liverpool we’ll hammer them
AnyToon in Indiana
May 20, 2023 at 5:44 PM
Comment #23Hopefully with West Ham focused on Europa Leeds can get the win tomorrow and put the pressure back on Everton. Would hate to see them squeak by 2 years in a row.
Uncertain Toon
May 20, 2023 at 5:45 PM
Comment #24Dr Ed like a coiled spring, nice one. Can feel your excitement through the ether pal.
This blog, your blog Ed, stands alone on this interweb thingy. Head and shoulders.
I hope you can feel pride in your achievement here over what is it ? 16 years pal, giving folk an electronic space to go and chew the Toon fat. The accolades yourself and mini Ed(Neil) receive are truly wholeheartedly deserved.
With your personal medical struggles, to concurrently keep the blog operational(or cracking the whip!) I find quite remarkable and you are an incredible example to me personally and I’d imagine to us all. You just do things properly, heart and mind in unison.
I don’t salute people anymore,
But I salute, Sir.
All the very best going forward,
Ash.
The Prince's Mate
May 20, 2023 at 5:49 PM
Comment #25The only way we could drop out the top 4 is if we lose our 2 remaining games without scoring and bindippers win 8-0 in their final game….I think that’s right.
AnyToon in Indiana
May 20, 2023 at 5:50 PM
Comment #26Forest up!!!!!
Uncertain Toon
May 20, 2023 at 5:52 PM
Comment #27Crikey, Forest 1 up 😆
DrGloom
May 20, 2023 at 5:53 PM
Comment #28Tpm – they need to have a 7 goal swing, they have a better goals scored ratio
Munster Mag
May 20, 2023 at 5:53 PM
Comment #29Come on Forest. Stay up
Ace50
May 20, 2023 at 5:54 PM
Comment #30I agree with TTT on previous thread. I said that I think Fulham will get something at Man U final day. So let’s get at least 4 points out of next two games and see where we finish ?
Ace50
May 20, 2023 at 5:55 PM
Comment #31Let’s not even talk about GD until Tuesday morning, and see if it’s relevant at all then 🙂
magicmac54
May 20, 2023 at 5:56 PM
Comment #32We are not there yet, but as close as you could conceivably get, only a miracles and freak set of results could stop us qualifying for the champions league next season. My son is visiting for the weekend and he has severe Asperger`s Syndrome so i better get back to giving him my full attention, ill get back again tomorrow night. Have a good one folks HWTL.
hkgeordie
May 20, 2023 at 5:56 PM
Comment #33UncertainToon, well said. Ed is a star and this blog is massive for Toon fans!
Princes Mate – whilst I trust we will finish it on Monday with no problem, if lose the next two our GD will have to suffer by at least -2 leaving Liverpool with a target that might be achievable against the remnants of the Saints. Roll on Monday, let’s finish on our own terms!
Ace50
May 20, 2023 at 5:58 PM
Comment #34If Forest win, they are safe and City win title
shaun83
May 20, 2023 at 5:59 PM
Comment #35The princes mate – we effectively have a + 6 goal diff as they have better goals for
If we lose our next two that goal difference will reduce – as I said previously, might be 3-4 in that scenario, and that’s assuming we don’t lose by more than net 3 goals over the two games
shaun83
May 20, 2023 at 5:59 PM
Comment #36…best to just get the points, which I’m sure we will
Raj of Hailsley
May 20, 2023 at 5:59 PM
Comment #37Forest safe if they win this, come on Forest.
The Prince's Mate
May 20, 2023 at 6:01 PM
Comment #38the crown princes nashers
May 20, 2023 at 5:23 PM
Comment #7
now who says VAR and refs does not work for liVARfool, 17 minutes in a full match added on for what id love to know and its always them who seem to get it
Masters and friends at work?
Small World
May 20, 2023 at 6:01 PM
Comment #39I’m expecting us to win on Monday in the face on stiff initial opposition from Leicester. if Leeds lose tomorrow, Leicester could climb out of the bottom 3 on goal difference with a win.
However, I also expect them to crumble should we score first, and I suspect irrespective of our injury woes, we’ll be fast out of the traps. EH wouldn’t have it any other way. Of late Leicester haven’t shown the sort of backbone that Everton did today at Wolves. Having lost Sick-note Calvert Lewin early on to injury they still found a way through to grab a late point.
Ace50
May 20, 2023 at 6:01 PM
Comment #40Looking forward to Leicester game so much! The place will be absolutely bouncing!! Wor Flags already doing loads of prep work!!