Ameobi eyes Europa League berth

Shola Ameobi is aiming for European qualification following his late equaliser for Newcastle in Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby.

Sunderland almost ended their 12-year wait for a win on Tyneside, but the 30-year-old striker netted in stoppage time to earn his side a 1-1 draw.

The goal, and the resulting point, cemented Newcastle’s sixth-place status in the Premier League, five points clear of Liverpool, and the 30-year-old now feels that qualification for next season’s Europa League is a real possibility.

“It’s a realistic target for us now, trying to get the European spot, and the fans can rest assured we are going to do everything we can to try to achieve that,” Ameobi said.

“They (Chelsea) are having a tough time at the moment and Liverpool lost on Saturday, so it was an incentive to get a result for us to try to put a gap between us and them.”

Ameobi’s seventh derby goal has left the striker just behind Newcastle legend Jackie Milburn in the all-time list, a statistic by which the forward is honoured.

“I know I shouldn’t really be mentioned in the same breath as Jackie Milburn, but it’s just fantastic for me and for the team, and for the fans also,” he said.

“To score against them on a consistent basis is a dream. It’s the game you look forward to all season, and it was great to come off the bench and get a goal.”

“It’s just awesome. Every single time when you score a goal as a striker, it’s always a nice feeling, but to do it against your fiercest rivals when the game is really on the line is just magnificent.”

“In front of the Gallowgate End again, it’s just a dream for a supporter of Newcastle. To score like that and rescue a point is fantastic.”