It had been exactly five months since Newcastle's last league draw. For a team that either wins or loses, a point at Brighton had real value

Three penalties, two overturned by VAR, and one point apiece made for a curious stalemate that did neither sides’ chances of achieving their European aims much good.

Looking at the Newcastle team v Brighton. The NUFC players hoping to make it eight wins from nine. Premier League victories over Ipswich, West Ham, Brentford, Leicester, Man U and Palace, plus of course in the middle of that,

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The race for Champions League qualification has gotten even tighter in the Premier League after Chelsea beat recently crowned champion Liverpool 3-1 and Newcastle dropped points at Brighton with a 1-1 draw.

Eddie Howe's side have won as many league games as Liverpool since December 9 — five more than any other team — so what is realistic now?