Pardew targets Champions League spot

Alan Pardew has finally admitted Newcastle are in contention for Champions League qualification after seeing Hatem Ben Arfa light up their bid.

The Frenchman scored a goal of jaw-dropping quality to set the Magpies on their way to a hard-fought victory over Bolton, their fifth successive win in the Premier League.

It left them level on points with fourth-placed Tottenham, who lost 2-1 at home to promoted Norwich, with five games of a wholly unexpected campaign to go.