Champions Arsenal moved within one game of completing an unbeaten premier league season after Spanish striker Jose Antonio Reyes earned them a 1-0 win at Fulham.
| |||||||||||
Newcastle, knocked out of the UEFA Cup semi-finals by Olympique Marseille on Thursday, need to win their final two premier league games -- at Southampton on Wednesday and at Liverpool on Saturday -- to finish fourth.
Bobby Robson's team, with only two away league wins all season, trail Liverpool by five points and could even miss out on fifth and a UEFA Cup place as they are also two behind Aston Villa, who host Manchester United in their final game.
The result also made mathematically certain that Wolves would be relegated after one season in the top flight.
Arsenal's success at Loftus Road took them to 87 points, 11 clear of Chelsea, and meant they at least matched their record of 1991 when they lost once on the way to the title.
If they avoid defeat in Saturday's home game against relegated Leicester City they would become only the second team in history to complete an unbeaten top-flight season.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger accepted that his players were doing just enough to avoid defeat having secured the championship with four games to spare.
"I feel we do what it takes not to lose," he told Sky Sports News. "I don't feel that the players realise what is at stake historically because there is no trophy for not losing a game in the championship.
"But for me it is something massive. We are close now. We will give everything now at Highbury and have a very good chance."
DECISIVE GOAL
Sunday's game will not linger long in the memory, though the decisive goal after nine minutes will not be easily forgotten by Edwin van der Sar.
Fulham's Dutch goalkeeper was sloppy in attempting to control a Martin Djetou backpass and far too casual as he tried to fool Reyes, who dispossessed him with ease before rolling the ball into an empty net.
At St James' Park Newcastle led after 38 minutes through Lee Bowyer but Wolves claimed a deserved equaliser in the 70th minute with a low shot by Romanian substitute Viorel Ganea.
Newcastle were given a golden chance to win the game eight minutes from time when they were awarded a penalty but former England striker Alan Shearer, usually deadly from the spot, had his low shot well saved by Paul Jones.
"Today has been a frustrating day, we had chances without really playing well," Shearer said.
"I accept responsibility for us not picking up three points and it could cost us dearly."
More from rediff