• Premier League

Champions League within our grasp - Pardew

April 9, 2012
Newcastle are exceeding expectations this season © PA Photos
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Alan Pardew has finally admitted Newcastle are in the hunt for Champions League qualification after seeing Hatem Ben Arfa light up their bid.

The Frenchman scored a goal of jaw-dropping quality to set the Magpies on their way to a hard fought victory over Bolton, their fifth successive win in the Premier League.

It left them level on points with fourth-placed Tottenham, who lost 2-1 at home to promoted Norwich, with five games of a wholly unexpected campaign to go.

Asked about the possibility of a top four finish, Pardew replied: ''I have never actually ruled it out. You guys kept saying to me, 'Are you going to make the Champions League?', and I said we were just looking to win the next game.

''But look, it's not gone unnoticed. This week could be important for us because if the [FA Cup] semi-final results go our way, we could be in Europe, I think, by next weekend.

''If that works in our favour, then really, really there is nothing left to go for but the Champions League.

''That's important to us, the semi-finals, we will be looking at them because we are up against Chelsea for that Europa League place if the results go against us, and that's still very, very tough on us.

''To have this points total and not make Europe would be tough to take, so we have got to keep our eye on the ball, and we ain't giving up on anything - apart from winning it.''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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