A point at Brighton is not, on the face of it, a bad result. But if felt like something of a setback for Newcastle United last weekend given how other results fell.

Eddie Howe's side are now fully focused on Sunday's huge St James' Park showdown with Chelsea as the race for a Champions League spot reaches its climax. There are just four points separating Manchester City in third and Aston Villa in seventh, with the top five qualifying for next season's elite European competition.

With just three games to go, United know their destiny is theirs to control, with victories against Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton guaranteeing them a place in the Champions League. That's easier said than done, of course, and there will be plenty of nervous watching of rivals' fixtures in the coming weeks.

But the Magpies can avoid any last-day drama and have it wrapped up BEFORE Everton come to St James' Park on May 25. It would need a particular set of results . . . starting with a United win against Chelsea on Sunday.

That would create a three-point gap between Newcastle and Enzo Maresca's side, while a defeat for Villa at Bournemouth would leave them six points adrift of the Magpies. If Chelsea lose to Manchester United on Friday, May 16, and Villa fail to beat Tottenham at home on the same night, then Newcastle would just need a point at Arsenal to ensure they couldn't be caught.

Four points from their next two games would leave Howe's men on 67, meaning even a draw for Chelsea against Man U would leave them three points behind and needing to better United's goal difference on the last day. Of course a win for Newcastle at Arsenal would leave them too far ahead.

Nottingham Forest are still very much in the mix, of course, and out of form, although they face already-relegated Leicester City on Sunday. However, even if they beat the Foxes, they would need to beat West Ham at the London Stadium to stay within two points of United, should they pick up two wins over Chelsea and Arsenal.

If it does go to the final day, it's worth bearing in mind that Forest host Chelsea at the City Ground on the final day.