Newcastle United handed huge Champions League boost as Man City stunned by Southampton

Newcastle United's Champions League hopes received a timely boost this afternoon as Manchester City were held to a goalless draw by already relegated Southampton.

Eddie Howe's side will now move ahead of City and go within a point of second-placed Arsenal IF they beat Chelsea at St James' Park on Sunday lunchtime.

City have been expected to cruise to victory at basement side Southampton, but were left frustrated at St Mary's. Erling Haaland made his first start for several weeks, but was unable to take any of the chances which came his way.

Pep Guardiola's side dominated the ball, registering 72 per cent possession, and had 26 shots to Southampton's two. However, just five of those shots were on target, with Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale only occasionally called upon to make key saves.

Howe in what has already been billed as a huge match in the race for a Champions League place. However, whoever emerges victorious on Sunday will have eyes on second place, with Arsenal due at champions Liverpool later in the afternoon.

United boss Howe feels the race will go down to the wire, and knows his side will have to be at their best to beat an in-form Chelsea.

"I think every game we'll have between now and the end of the season probably becomes our biggest game of the season," he said. "The cup final is up there with that but now that's gone and that's behind us.

"We know the importance of where we finish in the Premier League, and we're doing everything we can to finish as high as we can. I think we've all said in this room there's a possibility it'll go to the last game. All we can do is take care of our next opponent and sort of try and give everything we can to win, and it'll be a difficult game. I think Chelsea are a good team, and we've played them twice already this season so we know their qualities. I think Stamford Bridge was one of our hardest games this season."

Man City now end the season with an away trip to Bournemouth and a final-day home game with Fulham, with the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace to come on May 17.