Despite a 1-0 home loss to Everton in their final Premier League match on Sunday, Newcastle United secured a Champions League spot, thanks to Manchester United's 2-0 victory over Aston Villa.

The Magpies, who ended a 70-year domestic trophy drought by defeating Liverpool to win the League Cup earlier in the season, finished fifth with 66 points, overtaking Aston Villa on goal difference.

As the final whistle blew at St. James's Park, fans anxiously awaited the outcome at Old Trafford; confirmation of Villa's defeat sparked cheers and the Champions League anthem, celebrating Newcastle's return to Europe's top competition.

Newcastle dominated the game but were hampered by poor finishing and sloppy passing, highlighted by a 38th-minute reprimand from defender Fabian Schar to teammate Jacob Murphy for losing possession in midfield.

They created opportunities, but ineffective crosses and shots were easily handled by Everton's goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford.

Newcastle's repeated errors in midfield were punished in the 65th minute when Everton's Vitaliy Mykolenko assisted Carlos Alcaraz for a clinical header.

In the closing minutes, Newcastle pushed hard for an equalizer, with Bruno Guimaraes' stoppage-time shot narrowly missing the target.

Everton defended resiliently throughout, ending their season in 13th place with 48 points.