Newcastle United 0 Chelsea 2

KEVIN KEEGAN last night issued a stark warning to Newcastle United supporters that any thoughts of Champions League football during his second spell in charge should be banished from their heads.

The Newcastle boss watched Chelsea cruise to a routine 2-0 win at St James' Park to claim the three points that ensures Avram Grant's team go into this weekend's final round of fixtures level on points with Manchester United.

Despite more than matching the Blues in the first half, Newcastle were powerless to prevent Chelsea from taking control of the game after the break.

The result illustrated to Keegan the huge gulf which exists between the top four and the rest of the division, with the Newcastle boss suggesting he can't imagine the Magpies playing in Europe's premier competition during his days at the helm.

"We are a million miles away from competing with Chelsea,"

said Keegan, who signed a threeand- a-half year contract in January.

"This league is in danger of becoming the most boring, great league in the world.

"We will be trying to get fifth next season and trying to win the other league that is going on. We should make a fist of that, provided the owner (Mike Ashley) backs me.

"I have no proof of that, although I'm sure he will support me. I can get three or four in, and if we have that bit of luck, we could finish top of the second division in the Premier League.

"This won't be a Champions League club, while I'm here, as the way the league is at the moment.

I don't want to mislead the fans.

"Even if someone gives a barrel load of money, there is a pecking order for signing players. If I'm a top player and I have a choice of going to Chelsea or Newcastle, Chelsea have Champions League football to offer.

The top players, the great players, will go for the honours."

Keegan's admission highlights how far Newcastle have dropped since finishing third in 2002/03.

It is also unlikely to aid the club's attempt to convince captain Michael Owen to sign a new contract, with little progress made since talks began six weeks ago.

The defeat to Chelsea yesterday, ending a seven match unbeaten run, has left Newcastle 41 points behind the leading two teams - a far cry from being pipped by Manchester United for the title on the last day of the season in 1996.

And Keegan feels that if results go Chelsea's way on Sunday, they will be worthy champions.

"They are a better team than everyone gives them credit for,"

he said. "I don't see what we can do about it. They bring Andrei Shevchenko and Frank Lampard on, while Ashley Cole doesn't even get stripped.

"Chelsea would be worthy champions. I don't think they will be. In any other season there's one exceptional side and this year there are two."

Grant has delivered since taking over from Jose Mourinho in September and the Israeli is convinced Chelsea still have every chance of finishing ahead of Manchester United.

United have a far superior goal difference going into their final day trip to Wigan, where former Old Trafford captain Steve Bruce is in charge.

But Grant, whose side face Bolton at Stamford Bridge, has no concerns about the Latics' attitude.

"I have been coming here for more than 30 years and I believe in the tradition of English football,"

said Grant. "I don't believe Bruce will give the game to United.

"United have had a fantastic season. They have had a good battle. It is not going to be easy.

Our target was to be in the final of the Champions League. We have done more than we expected.

We will fight until the last minute."

8:51am Tuesday 6th May 2008

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