Newcastle under-23s have reached the quarter-finals of the Premier League International Cup in their debut year in the competition.
Despite an indifferent season on the domestic front, Newcastle’s second string have excelled against European opposition and are now just three wins away from winning a trophy.
The young Magpies secured second place in Group A last night as goals from Owen Gallacher, Victor Fernandez and Callum Roberts secured a 3-1 win over PSV Eindhoven.
That meant they faced a nervous wait to see if they qualified as one of the two best runner-ups, but after Tottenham's under-23s drew 3-3 with Benfica B this afternoon, their quarter-final place was confirmed.
Dan Ward on the attack flanked by Sparta's Dominik Simacek and Christian Frydek. (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
The competition was created in 2014 and it features 12 Premier League academy sides as well as 12 European sides, with the idea that it matches England’s elite young footballers with the European elite.
Newcastle had previously beaten Sparta Prague but were beaten by Liverpool before last night’s PSV win.
They now join Liverpool, Sunderland, Dinamo Zagreb, Manchester United, Arsenal, Villarreal and one of Porto, Bayern Munich or Tottenham in the last eight.
Porto are the defending champions, after they thrashed Sunderland 5-1 in last season’s final at the Stadium of Light.