The impact of Newcastle United’s victory over Manchester United last Sunday did more than just earn the Magpies three points. The upset victory altered the league table in a big way.
The rest of the Premier League is still in shock that Newcastle United climbed out of the relegation zone by gaining three hard-earned points against an unlikely opponent in Manchester United. The 1-0 victory moved the Magpies from 18th to 13th in the table and the squad is full of confidence ahead of their match against Bournemouth next weekend.
While Newcastle significantly benefited from their victory over Manchester United, the Red Devils took a big step in the wrong direction as their position in the table is in jeopardy. With 11 matches remaining, this is how both ends of the league table felt the impact of Newcastle United’s victory last Sunday.
Shift in Relegation Battle
Newcastle’s jump to 13th in the table was bad news for multiple bottom-half clubs. Every club between 14th and 19th in the table experienced some sort of movement. The bottom three now consists of West Brom in 20th, Stoke City in 19th and Southampton in 18th.
Already recognized as one of the most intense relegation battles in Premier League history, Newcastle’s triumphant performance against Manchester United only made survival for other clubs more complicated. With five of the ten bottom-half clubs playing teams from the top half of the table next weekend, Newcastle have a great opportunity to create more breathing room with a victory over Bournemouth.
Champions League or Europa League?
Had Manchester United departed St. James’ Park with three points, the Red Devils would still have been 12 points behind Manchester City, but they would have enjoyed a five-point lead over Liverpool in third. However, due to the different script that was written last Sunday, Liverpool are only two points behind Manchester United.
In addition to Liverpool, Newcastle’s victory put Chelsea (4th) and Tottenham (5th) back in play to fight for a guaranteed Champions League position. Just like the relegation battle, the fight for the Champions League has become more competitive. Of the teams placed between second and fifth, Manchester United still have to face Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal. This tough string of fixtures does not bode well for the Red Devils.
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Three points against Newcastle could have made a huge difference at the end of the season, but instead Manchester United’s loss has generated more optimism among Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham to claim the remaining Champions League spots behind Manchester City.