TOP FIVE? BRU GOT IT

Toon return to Euro elite in sight

- by ANDY DUNN

WELL into added time, Eddie Howe decided to make a couple of substitutions, not an uncommon ploy for a manager with a lead and one eye on the clock.

But this switch was not about time-wasting the players withdrawn were Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes.

This was man-management Howe-style, giving St James' Park the opportunity to acclaim two players who have led from the front in a campaign that is, more than likely, going to bring Champions League football back to St James' Park.

Guimaraes put in yet another captain's performance, capped by the late strike that helped put Howe's side in pole position for a top-five finish but leaves Chelsea with a hill to climb.

And while Isak did not have his most effective game, had the Blues possessed a striker of his class and game intelligence, then they might not have lost this game.

And had Chelsea a manager with Howe's nous this season, they might not be worrying about whether they will be joining Europe's top table next season.