Pardew aiming for dream finish

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has promised an all-out assault on Champions League qualification in a bid for a "special" end to an outstanding season.

The Magpies climbed to within three points of third-placed Arsenal with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Stoke which left them four points clear of Chelsea in sixth. They head for relegation-threatened Wigan next weekend knowing victory there would ensure a potentially thrilling conclusion to the campaign with Manchester City due on Tyneside either side of trips to Chelsea and Everton.

Pardew said: "That is a big, big achievement by us, make no mistake. I am pretty sure Liverpool can't catch us and to finish above them, regardless of their cup exploits, is still outstanding. Whatever we do now, it's an outstanding season."

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