THE pressure is on Newcastle United but it's another 'P' word at the forefront of Eddie Howe's thoughts as he looks ahead to a hugely decisive week - perspective.

The slip-up at home to Brighton on Saturday means the Magpies could very likely need maximum points from their trips to Manchester United and Brentford to secure European football next term.

Considering only five sides in the Premier League have picked up fewer points than Newcastle on the road this season, that's not an ideal position to be in. And yet, had Howe been offered this position at various stages of a hugely challenging campaign, he'd have taken it.

That would have undoubtedly been the case at the turn of the year when, after the home defeat to Nottingham Forest, Newcastle were only four points ahead of Howe's former employers Bournemouth, who had a game in hand.

And it would have been the case two months later when, after the heavy defeat at Arsenal, eighth-placed Newcastle were seven points shy of Manchester United.

And, again, it would have undoubtedly been the case when the Magpies were dumped out of the FA Cup at Manchester City and, to many, their season seemed to be over.

"In those difficult moments in January this looked a long way away," said Howe after the 1-1 draw with Albion.

"It's healthy to look back sometimes and just give that a bit of perspective.

"In that position we definitely would have done because we weren't showing signs of consistency and that's the thing that has probably alluded us the most this year.

"There's been some really good stuff in there but just not for long enough periods really to gain full momentum that we had the year before."

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That summary from Howe works for the season and Saturday's game in isolation. Newcastle were decent in patches but couldn't sustain it over the 90 minutes and both frustrated and were frustrated at times. Brighton would have been good value for the lead they looked set to take into the dressing room at half-time after Joel Veltman's opener, only for Sean Longstaff to level with the last kick of the first half.

With that, Howe's side became the first Newcastle team in the Premier League era and the first in the top flight in 65 years to score in every single home game - an "amazing thing", said the head coach. His side undoubtedly entertain but they couldn't find their rhythm against Brighton, partly because of Albion's resistance and game-management and partly because United's match-winners were slightly off-colour.

Even Anthony Gordon wasn't at his very best. He still, however, helped to rescue a point and nearly won it for Newcastle, underlining why he was the deserving winner of the club's Player of the Year award and why there was so much fury at him missing out on a nomination for the Premier League's Young Player of the year gong.

He made the equaliser, playing in Elliot Anderson, who teed up Longstaff, and thought he'd won it when he had the ball in the net late on, but the flag denied the Magpies all three points. Gordon wanted a penalty in stoppage time but his claims were waved away. Miguel Almiron then dangled a leg in search of a spot-kick and was booked.

In recent weeks, Newcastle would have been bailed out by Alexander Isak but he was quiet, contained and replaced at the midway point of the second half. The striker had been ill, Howe revealed afterwards, but still looked surprised when his number went up. Howe will hope that by protecting Isak, the Swede will be at full tilt again for Wednesday's trip to Old Trafford. And he hopes to have Callum Wilson back, too, after he was missing on Saturday. The absence of a centre-forward for the final quarter of such a crucial game was a reminder - with Newcastle's owners in attendance - of why signing a forward will surely be a priority this summer.

It will surely help Newcastle's cause in both signing players and keeping the likes of Isak and Bruno Guimaraes on Tyneside if they're able to offer European football, even if it isn't the Champions League.

"It is important," said Howe, of getting into Europe again.

"We want to be in those competitions consistently. And as flippant as that sounds, it's so difficult to do because you can see the teams we're competing against for those positions.

"You can see we're doing everything we can and we have done everything we can throughout the season, a long tough campaign in difficult conditions, to try and hit those targets.

"I compliment the players for how well they've done through difficult moments. We've definitely had an upturn in form and performance level, let's hope we can continue that for the last two matches."

The ownership group joined the players and staff on the pitch at full-time for a lap of appreciation which had the feel of being a real celebration after all United have gone through this season. It's credit to Howe and the players that they've got themselves in this position but now they need to finish the job. Too often this season, Newcastle have been below-par on the road and have won just once at Old Trafford in the league in 51 years, but they were comfortable victors there in the cup earlier this season. As for Brentford, they've lost just one of their last eight and not since Manchester City won at the Brentford Community Stadium more than three months ago have the Bees tasted defeat at home, but there'll be nothing on the line for Thomas Frank's side.

Newcastle's hopes are also boosted by some welcome returns in recent weeks. Often this season, Howe has turned to his bench and seen youngsters and goalkeepers. Against Brighton, he introduced Joelinton, Miguel Almiron, Harvey Barnes and, in stoppage time, Kieran Trippier - "difference makers" said Albion boss Roberto de Zerbi, who also told of his amazement at the St James' Park atmosphere.

How Newcastle will wish at least one of their remaining two games was in their own back yard. Recent games against Manchester United haven't been short of niggle and this is another high stakes encounter.

"It creates more drama and interest," said Howe.

"We just have to reflect and then we'll prepare the best we can for Manchester United. It will be a difficult game, it always is when you go there. We're going to have to earn everything we get.

"I don't think we'll use the cup win (at Old Trafford) in any way. It's a very different game and moment in our season. It's always good if you've had positive results in grounds you're going to visit, but this is a one-off game and we'll give it everything we can to perform well.

"I think there's always a confidence when you look at the group we have and the players that are in good form. But in saying that, I don't think you can take anything for granted because the teams we're competing against will say the same thing. It's going to come down to two games and two games that hopefully we'll hit our top levels in."