Newcastle United’s Premier League survival hangs in the balance after their 0-0 draw with Aston Villa and Chronicle chief sports writer Lee Ryder believes the Magpies are where they deserve after a shocking campaign.
Lee, who was at the game in the Midlands, says “the only thing about this club now that is Premier League is the stadium and the magnificent supporters.”
The Magpies fell back in to the relegation zone after they could only draw with Aston Villa while fellow strugglers Sunderland came from behind to beat Chelsea.
United went in to the game at Villa Park one point ahead of the Black Cats knowing that they needed a win to keep the pressure on Sam Allardyce's side – who have a game in hand on Newcastle.
Newcastle were poor in from of goal and had several good chances to put themselves ahead but failed find a way past Villa – who are already relegated – while Sunderland twice came from behind to beat Chelsea at the Stadium of Light.
Goals from Wahbi Khazri, Fabio Borini and Jermain Defoe capped a stunning comeback against Guus Hiddink’s Blues on Wearside.
It means Rafa Benitez’s side are back in the drop zone with just one game remaining and could be relegated if Sunderland beat Everton in midweek.
After beating Chelsea 3-2 on Saturday, Sunderland are out to 5/1 to be relegated from the Premier League.
The victory moved the Black Cats out of the drop zone, one point ahead of rivals Newcastle who could only draw 0-0 at Aston Villa.
Sunderland have a game in hand of their rivals and can secure survival if they beat out-of-sorts Everton on Wednesday night, with a trip to Watford to come afterwards.
Norwich face the same two sides in reverse order but a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United saw them cut to 1/50 to be relegated, with Newcastle - who face Tottenham on the final day - as short as 1/16.
It looks near certain that Norwich are to join Villa in the Sky Bet Championship next season and two draws for Sunderland would likely condemn Newcastle, given the fact that Sam Allardyce's side have a vastly superior goal difference.