The Chronicle

A light at the end of the tunnel?

- By SEAN MCCORMICK

NEWCASTLE United will now ‘feel there is light at the end of the relegation tunnel’.

That is the verdict of former Magpies’ forward Michael Owen who feels his former side ‘have enough to take another big point’ at home to West Ham on Saturday.

After a dismal run of form, Newcastle have taken four points from their last two games to establish a six-point gap between themselves and the relegation zone.

Steve Bruce’s side has the opportunit­y to stretch that lead to nine points today, with 18th- placed Fulham not playing until Sunday, but takes on an in-form West Ham side.

The Hammers can move up to third place in the Premier League table with a win at St James’ Park and Owen (below) feels the two sides will play out a 1-1 draw on Tyneside.

The former Liverpool and England striker said: “West Ham’s incredible season continued as they won their crucial match against Leicester at the London Stadium.

“Their dream of playing Champions League football next season is very much alive, but first they must overcome a Newcastle side which will feel there is light at the end of the relegation tunnel.

“The Magpies have shown some grit in the last few weeks and back on home soil I think they will have enough to take another big point.”

Owen feels Newcastle will stretch the lead between themselves and the relegation zone to seven points this weekend, backing Arsenal to beat 18th-placed Fulham 2-0.

He added: “After making such a fight of it since the turn of the year it is looking more and more likely Fulham will be playing Championsh­ip football next season.”

“The Cottagers have lost their last four Premier League matches and they take on an Arsenal side which, despite its frailties, still has the quality to brush aside teams at the bottom end of the table.

“I predict another afternoon to forget for the visitors. It is 2-0 to the Gunners for me.”

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