LONDON – Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is cautiously optimistic after his team claimed a 4-1 home victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday to take a massive step towards clinching a top-four finish in the Premier League.

An own goal by Deniz Undav and a Dan Burn header before the interval put the third-placed Magpies in command.

But Brighton, in sixth and themselves seeking to qualify for Europe for the first time, pulled a goal back through Undav.

There were plenty of nerves around St James’ Park as Newcastle squandered chances and the visitors threatened an equaliser.

But late goals by Callum Wilson and Bruno Guimaraes sparked a party mood inside the stadium.

“We were outstanding tonight,” Howe told Sky Sports. “That first period was us at our best.

“I thought we were relentless. But it is very difficult to maintain that for the full game.

“The crowd helped get us over the line. The third goal was crucial.

“It would be incredible if we could (qualify for the Champions League). This is the Premier League and we take nothing for granted.

“We know how good Leicester (in our next match) are, they are fighting at the other end of the table.”

While a top-four finish is still not guaranteed, Newcastle need only one win from their last two games to be sure.

Howe’s side have 69 points and fourth-placed Manchester United are on 66, with three games still to play.

Liverpool, who have only two games left, are on 65.

Victory at home against relegation-threatened Leicester on Monday will guarantee Newcastle Champions League football for the first time in two decades.

After Newcastle had picked up only one point from their last two games, and with Brighton fresh off the back of a 3-0 win at Arsenal, the match looked like a tricky hurdle for the hosts.

But they dominated the opening exchanges and took the lead after 22 minutes when Kieran Trippier’s corner skimmed off the head of Undav and into his own net.

Their second goal came when Burn rose to power in another Trippier delivery in first-half stoppage time.

Brighton halved the deficit as Undav slotted past Nick Pope.

Wilson then took his league tally for the season to 18 in the last minute and Guimaraes fired home from close range in stoppage time.

Brighton need two wins from their last three games to ensure they will play in Europe next season.

“I think we deserved to lose the game, especially in the first half. We suffered a lot with the power of Newcastle,” said manager Roberto de Zerbi.

REUTERS