NOLBERTO Solano has labelled the dog-fight for fourth spot in the Premiership as a 'war', and called on his Newcastle United teammates to battle it out for that final Champions League place.

With Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea engaged in a three-horse race for the title, the Magpies are left fighting for the remaining place in Europe's premier club competition.

With Liverpool, Charlton and the season's surprise packages Fulham - tipped by many for relegation - also in the chase, Newcastle will be looking to take their form from last weekend's Man United game into Monday's match at home to Chris Coleman's side.

The Peru international said: "The players have talked about the Manchester United game and we have to now play the same way in every match left this season.

"We need the same every week. We need to fight like that all the time. Manchester United do it every week and that's why they win titles.

"Everyone for the rest of the season has to play at 100 per cent and treat it like a war. We are fighting to get fourth place."

The 29-year-old appears keen to put his off-the-field problems behind him in his bid to help Newcastle chase silverware, despite being repeatedly linked with a move to Aston Villa while the transfer window is open.

He appeared more than happy to give his all for the cause last Sunday, showing a tenacity that is far from the trademark of the ball playing midfielder.

And he wants to see that same resolve shown by the team throughout the remainder of the season - starting at home to Fulham on Monday.

He said: "We need to show the same aptitude that we displayed at Old Trafford against Fulham on Monday.

"They don't have the same players as Manchester United but we have to take the same attitude into the game.

"At Newcastle we should get a bit more space but it will be difficult because they are a good team as they have shown this season.

"It will be totally different against Fulham and we have to show exactly the same passion. We are chasing after fourth place and a win is absolutely crucial in order to stay in the race for fourth.

"All the players have said to each other, from now we have to pick up points in every game if we are to finish in the top four and that has to be our aim.

"Don't forget there is only four months left and although everyone is a little tired we have to keep going right to the finish."

* An extra-time winner from Iain Hume helped Tranmere to edge past Bolton and headline a night of shocks in the FA Cup.

On a bad evening for the form book which saw Northampton, Scunthorpe and Wimbledon also upset the odds, it was Division Two Tranmere's 2-1 win over Premiership Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium which was the most notable of the surprises.

Eugene Dadi raised the visitors' hopes when he opened the scoring in the 82nd minute, only for substitute Ricky Shakes to rattle Rovers with a last-ditch leveller.

But Tranmere refused to roll over and were back in front thanks to Hume right at the start of the extra half-hour - and Sam Allardyce's second-string line-up were unable to bridge the gap again.

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