NEWCASTLE may be heading for another £15m Champions League bonanza, but Sir Bobby Robson insists he would have no qualms about keeping the lid on the coffers and sending his fledgling Magpies back into combat with Europe's elite next season.

United's victory at St. James' Park, which would have been more emphatic had they not been so wasteful in front of goal, was enough to guarantee a third-place Premiership finish ahead of rivals Chelsea and Liverpool, who both lost.

With the promise of a major windfall, Robson is certain to strengthen his squad this summer. The side he fielded on Saturday was the youngest he has ever managed and the absence of both skipper Alan Shearer and Gary Speed through injury exposed the lack of experience.

But Robson remains convinced that the vibrant band of tyros he has assembled on Tyneside can carry the fight at home and abroad on the back of this season's achievements - and continue to grow in stature.

Newcastle reached the last 16 of the Champions League for the first time and, in so doing, claimed memorable successes over Juventus and Feyenoord.

And Robson maintains that their top-flight placing, one spot higher than last season, is further proof of the club's "mammoth'' progress.

Manchester United and Arsenal are still out of reach, but Robson said: "I knew we would get close to the title this season. I always thought we would make some indentation in Arsenal and Manchester United's hopes - and we have.

"Three weeks ago, I thought that if we'd beaten Manchester Unted here we just might nick this championship, but that defeat killed our hopes.''

Newcastle must once more negotiate a two-legged qualifier to make sure they catch the Euro gravy train, but Robson said: "Third is a big spot for us - it's fantastic. We just have to sit tight and work from there.

"I'd be happy to take this squad into the Champions League. Look what the present crop of players have done for this club. I think they will get better.

"Look at Jermaine Jenas's rise to maturity in a year; Kieron Dyer will get better, Craig Bellamy will get better and Olivier Bernard will get better.''

French left-back Bernard played despite his arrest and questioning by police earlier in the week over an alleged incident.

"He had a fantastic match,'' added Robson. "He played under a lot of pressure that kid. We wished him all the best and said, 'Go on, we're with you'.''

Robson, 70, said he would perform somersaults if Newcastle again claimed a Champions League place.

But instead he was content to lead his players on a dignified lap of honour. "There's been no champagne in the dressing room,'' he said. "I don't think some of the players could have lifted a glass, they're so tired. It's been a long season.

"But the celebrations at the end whet your appetite for more. The Champions League has been a great education for the players. Away to Inter Milan, we learned one or two things and got in some rough situations, but still didn't lose.

"One of our last performances in Europe was one of our best. We have learned and I think we'll do better in Europe next year. The players think we should have done better this year and, in a way, I think they're right.''

Robson invested heavily in two more young players of outstanding quality - England centre-back Jonathan Woodgate and Portugal playmaker Hugo Viana.

It was 20-year-old Viana who scored the all-important goal - his first in the Premiership since his £8.5m arrival from Sporting Lisbon last summer.

Teessider Woodgate, signed from Leeds in January for £9m, produced a towering performance in defence - so much so that Robson labelled him "a lighthouse''.

"Jonathan was outstanding for us - he was like a lighthouse,'' said Robson. "He was superb, as he was at Sunderland and Fulham.

"He's 23 and we have bought a great player there, I'll tell you - and he will get better as well.''

With Laurent Robert still short of fitness after a knee ligament injury, Viana was again deployed on the left flank.

It's a position he admits he doesn't like, but Robson said: "That's probably the best we've seen of him in the wide role.''

Newcastle have an abundance of set-piece specialists - Shearer, Robert and Nolberto Solano. And Viana is another.

When the goal-bound Bellamy, chasing Solano's measured pass, was nudged over by Matthew Upson on the edge of the area, referee David Elleray elected to mark his last match with a red card for the Birmingham defender.

Viana then took centre stage to curl home a majestic left-footed free-kick.

City's Geordie boss Steve Bruce hopes Elleray will review the incident on video and reconsider his decision.

But Bruce couldn't resist a parting shot at the Harrow official, saying: "It's Mr Elleray's last game - say no more.''

The goal came shortly before the interval, but there should have been more for the home fans to cheer.

Bellamy's continued inability to finish when through on goal suggested Upson would have been better letting him go.

Shola Ameobi - deputising for prize guy Shearer, who picked up six Premiership awards before kick-off - hit the bar with a header, but then missed the simplest of chances late in the game.

But Robson wasn't in the mood to nit-pick. "Liverpool have to win next week at Chelsea to get into the Champions League, and that just shows you how tough the Premiership is,'' he said. "We've restored a lot of reputation and credibility to this club.''