Gary Neville admits he has changed his mind in top four race – Spurs mentioned

Gary Neville has admitted that while he initially thought Newcastle United would fall away in the race for the top four and present the likes of Tottenham with an opportunity, he now expects the Magpies to secure Champions League qualification.

The clash against Brighton was, for all intents and purposes, a must-win game for Spurs as both Man Utd and Newcastle moved six points clear with wins over Everton and Brentford respectively earlier on Saturday.

Newcastle United
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Although the Lilywhites’ performance was nothing to write home about, they did get the job done, courtesy of goals from Son Heung-min and Harry Kane.

The win keeps Tottenham in touching distance of the Magpies and the Red Devils, who now have a three-point advantage with a game in hand over Cristian Stellini’s men.

Neville praised Newcastle on the back of the week they have had and backed Eddie Howe’s men to clinch a top-four spot.

The Man Utd legend said on the Gary Neville Podcast (via Chronicle Live): “What a week. To beat Manchester United, West Ham away and Brentford away – that’s a tough week. To get nine points is a brilliant performance.

“I didn’t have them down as top four three weeks ago. Even after the Manchester United game, I thought, ‘Well, they have got three tough away games now: West Ham, Brentford and Aston Villa on Saturday.

“You will probably drop points in that and it will give Tottenham, maybe Liverpool, a chance.’

“But, looking at them now, watching them closely against Manchester United, where I thought they were absolutely brilliant, I think they will finish in the top four now just because the confidence will be so high.”

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Newcastle certainly appear to be clicking into gear at the right time and looks like favourites to clinch third spot.

Man Utd certainly look more catchable for Spurs, particularly with Erik Ten Hag’s men set to come to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at the end of April.

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