Krul - Chance of a lifetime

Tim Krul would have told anyone suggesting Newcastle could have a shot at Champions League football on the final day that they were mad.

Newcastle keeper hoping to cap special season

Tim Krul would have told anyone suggesting Newcastle could have a shot at Champions League football on the final day that they were mad. But while their fate may be out of their hands, a third-place finish is not out of the question should Newcastle beat Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday. If either Arsenal or Tottenham slip up against West Brom and Fulham respectively then a top-four place would be within Newcastle's grasp and the 24-year-old keeper admits it is a huge opportunity. "It's a really important game and the chance of a lifetime," said Krul. "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." It will not be easy as the Toffees will be keen to finish above rivals Liverpool. And while some may feel the onus is on the Gunners and Spurs to get a result, Krul does not see it that way.

Pressure

Asked if the pressure was on others, 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." But whatever the outcome, the Holland international will look back on a remarkable season and is happy to have signed a five-year contract with Newcastle in March. Krul added: "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."