there is still a twist in the tale.
The only scenario that can now alter that sixth place would be if Chelsea lifted the Champions league and finished outside of the top four.
In the event that Chelsea finished fifth or sixth and were crowned European champions, the fourth place team in the Premier League would then drop into the Europa League causing a knock-on effect for the team below.
But the Blues have a major obsticle in achieving that aim ... and he is called Lionel Messi.
Chelsea have two games against the mighty Barcelona coming up, and that could be the key that guarantees the Geordies that Euro place.
Newcastle require four more points to guarantee a top six place.
But with United level with Spurs on 59 points a Champions League place is also up for grabs.
The Premier League’s official guidelines for Europa League qualification.
UEFA Europa League:
There are three places in the EL available: the FAC winners will enter at the Group Stage; the 5th place team in the PL will enter at the Play-Off stage; and the FLC winners will enter at the Q3 stage.
In the event the FAC winners are qualified for the CL the FAC runners-up will qualify, but in the place reserved for the lowest ranking PL representative.
The place with direct access to the Group Stage will be given to the club that finishes in the highest position in the PL of the clubs qualifying for the EL.
Should the FA Cup winners, runners-up (if applicable) and the LC winners already have qualified for Europe, their place goes to the next best placed clubs in the PL.
Source: FOOTYMAD
