Newcastle set for Europe after Liverpool reach FA Cup final

Newcastle United are all but assured of a place in Europe next season after Liverpool beat Everton in the FA Cup semi-final.

The FA confirmed that the result means the team finishing sixth in the Premier League will earn a Europa League place.

Newcastle are in fifth place, 12 points ahead of Everton in seventh, with five games to play.

It would be Newcastle's first European campaign since 2006, when they competed in the Uefa Cup.

Top of the Premier League

Pld GD Pts

* Correct at 15 April 2012

Man Utd

34

54

82

Man City

34

58

77

Arsenal

33

25

64

Tottenham

33

19

59

Newcastle

33

8

59

Chelsea

33

18

57

Everton

33

4

47

Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham occupy the top four places in the Premier League, which guarantee a place in the Champions League or Champions League qualifying stage.

Newcastle are level on points with Tottenham and still harbour hopes of reaching the Champions League. Chelsea are sixth, two points behind Alan Pardew's team.

There are three Europa League places available for English clubs, which normally go to the fifth-placed team, FA Cup winners and Carling Cup winners.

Liverpool, winners of the Carling Cup, will meet Chelsea in the FA Cup final next month.

Chelsea must either win the Cup or gain six more points to be certain of Champions League qualification.