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NEWCASTLE

- By SEAN MCCORMICK

United booked their place in the Champions League knockout rounds for the first time in their history with a 3-0 win over PSV Eindhoven at St James’ Park.Goals from Yoane Wissa, Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes secured a comfortable win on Tyneside and it ensured Newcastle can finish no lower than 18th in the table, thus securing their place in the top 24 and the playoff round.

Newcastle are up to seventh place in the Champions League table and if they can finish inside the top eight they will skip the playoff round and move directly through to the last 16.

That brings with it huge financial reward and also means they avoid two extra fixtures in February and that fate is in their own hands heading into next week’s mouthwatering final league fixture against reigning European champions PSG at the Parc des Princes.

Newcastle and PSG are two of eight teams locked on 13 points, with Qarabag as low as 18th still within a shot of reaching those top eight places.

Here are five things we learned from a pleasing night on Tyneside.