Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe remained hopeful that his team would finish in the Champions League places after sealing a late draw against Brighton on Sunday. 

Brighton were on course for all three points after Yankuba Minteh, who was on the books at Newcastle but did not make an appearance, scored in the 28th minute. 

But the Magpies levelled the game late on through Alexander Isak's penalty, which was given following a VAR review for handball against Yasin Ayari. 

Indeed, the result ended a run of 20 consecutive Premier League games without a draw for Newcastle (W14 L6) since a 3-3 draw with Liverpool back in December.

The Magpies are fourth in the table with three games of their season remaining, knowing a top five finish will be enough to seal a return to the Champions League. 

And speaking after the draw at the Amex Stadium, Howe said he knew the race for Europe would go down until the final day, saying: "I felt that months back.

"We've got top quality teams fighting for a massive prize. We just hope we're in there."

Howe also praised the intervention of VAR which led to Isak scoring from the spot, with his latest strike his 23rd Premier League goal of the season. 

The Swede is the first Newcastle player to score that many league goals in a season since Alan Shearer in 2001-02 (also 23).

"I'm happy for VAR to make those calls," said Howe to BBC Sport.

"I've no major criticism other than maybe we were not creative enough and not at our clinical best in front of goal.

"When you're 1-0 down you have to be grateful for the point. We're certainly stronger with it than without it."

For Brighton, meanwhile, they moved a point closer to their own European ambitions, with two points separating four teams who could seal a spot in Europe next year. 

Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler was frustrated his side couldn't hold out for all three points, with the draw leaving the club with just one win from their last seven matches.

He told BBC Sport: "There were too many mistakes and then we conceded a very cheap penalty which was late on in the game.

"Last time we had a great comeback against West Ham  but this week was also possible but football was not on our side so we have to make the best of it."

Despite his side’s patchy form towards the end of the campaign, Hurzeler was positive about his side's display on the whole.

"It was a good team performance, although we made some easy mistakes," said the Austrian.

"We were not able to control the game like we wanted to but overall it was a good team performance.

"We stuck together and supported each other and then we have a chance to win games."