Football Howe's Magpies another step closer to the Champions League after win

SANDRO Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes fired Newcastle a step closer to Champions League qualification as 10-man Chelsea’s hopes were dealt a significant blow on Tyneside.

- Press ASSOCIATION

Tonali’s second-minute strike and Bruno's deflected effort at the death secured a 2-0 victory yesterday at St James’ Park on a day when the visitors had to cope with a numerical disadvantage for 55 minutes after striker Nicolas Jackson was sent off for elbowing Sven Botman.

In truth, the Blues made a much better fist of it with 10 than they had with 11, and it took fine second-half saves from Nick Pope to deny Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez an equaliser which might have proved so costly.

Eddie Howe’s men moved back into third place as a result with just two games remaining, leaving Chelsea, who will be without Jackson for the rest of their domestic campaign, looking over their shoulder.

Europa League finalists Manchester United’s embarrassing Premier League campaign continued as fellow strugglers West Ham celebrated a first top-flight win at Old Trafford since 2007.