Krul savouring the chance of a lifetime as Newcastle chase Champions League dream
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UPDATED:
14:37 GMT, 12 May 2012
Tim Krul would have told anyone who suggested Newcastle would head into the last day of the season with Champions League football still up for grabs that they were mad.
The 24-year-old Holland international embarked on the campaign having been installed as Alan Pardew's number one and intent on improving upon the 12th-place finish the Magpies had secured at the end of the first term back in the Barclays Premier League.
But they will run out at Everton tomorrow knowing they can finish no lower than fifth no matter what happens, and that if they can win at Goodison Park, they could yet snatch even third place from current occupants Arsenal and a dream ticket to Europe's biggest table.
In fine form: Tim Krul and Newcastle are fighting for a Champions League place
Krul said: 'It's a really important game and the chance of a lifetime. Hopefully one of the other teams, Arsenal or Tottenham, will drop some points and we could be there.
'To say that with one game to go is something special. Finishing above Chelsea and Liverpool – if you had said that at the start of the season, people would have said you were mad.
'I would have said you were mad, so that shows you what a fantastic season we have had and we can be proud of that.
'That gives us more confidence to go to Everton and prove how good we are.'
That may be easier said than done, however, with Everton themselves in good form as the season draws to a close.
Victory for David Moyes' side would claim seventh place and perhaps more importantly for their fans, mean they end the campaign ahead of rivals Liverpool.
With Newcastle having already over-achieved, the onus is really on the Gunners and Spurs as they attempt to secure another season of Champions League football.
Respect: Newcastle have upset the critics this season
However, Krul is adamant that he and his team-mates must leave the pitch at Everton with no regrets.
Asked if all the pressure is on the North London duo, he said: “Yes and no, because we have got a fantastic opportunity, so we cannot allow anything to slide.
'We need to win this game. The manager has kept on saying this for a while now, these opportunities don't come along very often, so you have to take them with both hands, and we have done it.
'We have definitely done that, but we have to finish the season on a high now and hopefully get a win at Everton so we don't sit in the dressing room on Sunday disappointed that we could have or would have.
'We need to get the three points and hopefully they drop some points.'
However the final day unfolds, Krul will look back upon his first season in the frontline with immense fondness and looking forward to the Euro 2012 finals with his country.
He could hardly have imagined just how special the campaign would prove to be, and the events of the past few months have fully justified his decision to sign a new five-year contract in March.
Krul said: 'I pinch myself sometimes, saying: “This is your first full season, how are we going to top this”.
'It's been great. We always talk about team spirit and I have always said Newcastle has the potential to be a top, top team, and we are here now.
'I extended my contract because I wanted to be playing for a club who fight for places like this and that's what's happening now, and I am over the moon about that.
'To be playing for the top spots in the league with one game to go is something special, and it's definitely exceeded all our expectations.'
