After two decades, Newcastle United are back in the UEFA Champions League thanks to a goalless draw against relegation-struggling Leicester City at Saint James Park on Monday night.

The draw ensured that the Magpies would finish in the top four at the end of the current season.

Newcastle United did not start the game on the brightest side but had some flurry of late first-half chances including a 40th-minute effort by Callum Wilson that rattled off the post as the first-half ended goalless.

The hosts’ attacking threats continued early on in the second-half but the defiant Leicester City’s back-line and many wasted chances prevented Newcastle from scoring.

However, the visitors almost grabbed a surprising goal late in the game. Timothy Castagne’s stoppage time shot from a free kick by James Maddison was brilliantly saved by Nick Pope as both sides settled for an important one point apiece.

On 69 points prior to Leicester City’s game, Newcastle United only needed one point to wave off threats posed by Manchester United (69) and Liverpool (66) and ultimately did the job as the Magpies will be playing in the Champions League for the first time since the 2002/03 season.

On the other hand, the Red Devils also need just one more point from their remaining two matches which includes an outstanding match to secure their Champions League football for next season.

Man United may even get the job done as soon as Thursday night against Chelsea and would finish above Newcastle United if they win the two matches.

Meanwhile, the point moved Leicester one position upward to 18th on the table tallied on same 31 points with Leeds United but only ahead of the Whites thanks to superior goals difference, as the survival enters the final day of the season.

With only Southampton confirmed relegated at the moment, two of either Everton (33 points), Leicester City (31 points) and Leeds United (31 points) will join the Saints in the second division when the season ends next week.