ALAN SHEARER maintains that Newcastle and Liverpool are locked on an inexorable course for a last-day showdown in the battle to secure a Champions League place.

Shearer's awesome winning goal in Sunday's 2-1 home victory over Chelsea ensured Newcastle are level-pegging again with Liverpool, who only hung on to the prized fourth spot by virtue of having scored two more than the Magpies.

The sides meet at Anfield on the final day of the Premiership season and, even though Newcastle have a game in hand on Gerard Houllier's men, as well as sixth-placed Aston Villa a point behind, Magpies skipper Shearer believes the issue won't be settled until May 15.

With Liverpool winning at Manchester United and ten-man Villa beating Middlesbrough at the Riverside on Saturday, Newcastle knew victory was vital against Chelsea.

"We are going for fourth place and we believe we can get it,'' said Shearer. "The results over the weekend raised eyebrows but it is going to be like that.

"It has been this tight for the last month and it will be until the season finishes. When there has been a chance for a team to go for fourth, they have not taken it, and if one has won the other has won.

"Teams have not taken advantage and I will repeat what I said earlier in the season, and that is it will go down to the final game of the season at Liverpool.

"I have seen nothing to change my mind. It's incredible how our results are mirroring Liverpool's. Villa are hot on our heels and are in form. It is going to be very tight.''

Houllier agrees with Shearer, but feels Liverpool have a significant edge on two counts. He said: "There will be a few twists and turns before the whole thing is decided - but I don't think it will be completely finished until the final day.

"The one thing in our favour is that we will play Newcastle at home. We also have everyone fit again now, which is a big plus because the injuries have made this a very tough season for us.''

Shearer's long-range pile-driver against Chelsea, his 28th goal of the season, was one of the best of his career and carried echoes of his stunning strike against Everton last season at the same end.

He said: "I don't know what it is about shooting towards the Gallowgate End in the second half, but I know I don't like to change ends before kick-off. I like shooting down the hill.

"Marcel Desailly let me turn to my right, I saw a gap and went for it. There's no doubt it's up there with my best goals and it could turn out to be one of the most important. I hope so.

"Sunday was a very good day for us, but it had to be after the results on Saturday. Even a point against Chelsea would not have been enough. To come back from a goal down to win shows the team spirit here. It was a great result.''

After Joe Cole's early goal, Shola Ameobi brought Newcastle level shortly before half-time with an impressive finish.

Shearer said: "Shola and I battled all afternoon against John Terry and Desailly. It was a good scrap and we both got a goal.

"We deserved those three points. We had a bit of luck, but we worked hard for it. We have a couple of days off this week and we haven't had that for a while. I think we deserve them.

"The hunger and desire are there. We're playing top-class sides; Chelsea are in the semi-finals of the European Cup and we have just beaten them.''

Newcastle's ambitions, however, suffered another major blow when Jonathan Woodgate limped off with a pulled thigh muscle.

Along with Craig Bellamy, Jermaine Jenas and Kieron Dyer, Woodgate is likely to miss the rest of the season.

He also faces a struggle to make England's Euro 2004 squad, but Shearer remained upbeat about the centre-back's prospects.

"John Terry and Jonathan Woodgate are both tremendous centre halves - I'm just glad they're English,'' said the former England captain. "They will both have a major role to play in the European Championships.''

Shearer himself was almost a casualty against Chelsea after being stamped on in a very private place by German defender Robert Huth.

"They're still there - I counted them,'' joked Shearer. "I thought Huth could have done better with the tackle. I thought he could have stepped over me.''

Huth escaped punishment from referee Rob Styles, but is set to face trial by video. The FA have called for video evidence of the incident, which will be considered by their compliance unit, with a three-match ban awaiting Huth if he is found guilty.

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