Six Premier League teams separated by six points are battling it out for the four remaining Champions League spots with two rounds of matches left and no team can rest easy, although they have all secured European football for next season.

Liverpool apart, the occupants of England’s five Champions League spots are still unknown; four will go to the remainder of the top five, while Manchester United and Tottenham’s Europa League final will add a surprising sheen to one of those sides’ worst seasons in recent history.

The Carabao Cup final win against Liverpool means United will at least compete in the Europa Conference League - but the Magpies have their eyes of loftier and more lucrative opposition as they seek to secure a spot in the Champions League for the second time in Howe’s reign at St James Park.