Thanks to Stoke City’s 2-1 away win against Hull City today, Newcastle United’s Premier League survival is in their own hands. The Toon don’t have to rely on other results to guarantee safety.

A win against Middlesbrough on Monday, would see Newcastle level on points with Hull – with a superior goal difference. All we would need to do at that point is match what Hull do. That’s it – this is what it’s came down to.

Alan Shearer can now look his players square in the eye and let them know that it’s down to them. We only hope that they care as much for Newcastle United as he does.