Magpies Fly On In Top-5 Chase

Newcastle's fast start at rocking St James' Park sinks Chelsea, lifts them to 3rd place

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LONDON - Newcastle United took a huge step towards qualifying for the Champions League, as Sandro Tonali led them to a vital 2-0 English Premier League victory over top-five rivals Chelsea on May 11.

The midfielder put the Magpies ahead after just two minutes at St James' Park before Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson was sent off for an elbow on Sven Botman late in the first half.

Bruno Guimarães then struck in the 90th minute to secure Newcastle's seventh win from their last nine league games and lift them into third place in the Premier League.

Eddie Howe's side, aiming to feature in the Champions League for the second time in three seasons, are one point above fourth-placed Manchester City and three clear of fifth-placed Chelsea and sixth-placed Aston Villa.

In their final two matches, League Cup winners Newcastle travel to Arsenal next weekend before hosting Everton.

"The first half we were really, really good. The sending-off changed the game, and with the scoreline it became a tricky second half for us mentally," said Howe on TNT Sports.

"The message was to attack, but on the pitch it felt different. Chelsea changed and tweaked things and made it difficult for us tactically, so congratulations to them, but we hung in there.

"The second half was stressful. I was pleased with how we defended."