ALAN Pardew last night expressed his relief at Newcastle United's Premier League survival and claimed the financial incentive for remaining in the top-flight had made this the toughest relegation battle he could remember.

Newcastle's 2-1 win at QPR guaranteed their Premier League safety with a game to spare, as their total of 41 points can only be overhauled by one of Wigan Athletic and Aston Villa, who play each other on the final weekend of the season.

Trailing to Loic Remy's 11th-minute penalty, Newcastle claimed only their second league away win thanks to first-half strikes from Hatem Ben Arfa and Yoan Gouffran.

Rob Elliot's 80th-minute dismissal for handling the ball outside the area set up a nervy finale, but the Magpies held on to ensure their survival will not be dependent on the outcome of Sunday's final home game against Arsenal.

“I'm very pleased,” said Pardew, whose position remains under threat ahead of an end-of-season debrief with Newcastle owner Mike Ashley and managing director Derek Llambias. “It was an important game for this football club, a very important game, particularly this year with the extra finance of staying in the Premier League. It's massive for the city and for North-East football that we're a Premier League team.

“I'm delighted for the fans, and for the players. They've had accusations thrown at them that have been so ridiculous. You don't get a draw at West Brom and West Ham, and win here at QPR, if you've got rifts going on.

“I thought in the first ten minutes, we were almost playing with a noose around our neck because we were so nervous and tight. But once we scored, I thought we settled down and played quite well. We showed a real determination and resilience to get the job done.”

Despite starting the season dreaming of another tilt at European qualification, Newcastle have ended the campaign scrambling to safety with just one game to spare.

It is not the scenario anyone at St James' Park expected after last season's fifth-placed finish, but the Magpies are not the only club to have been unexpectedly dragged into a relegation battle that could still see any one of five teams joining QPR and Reading in the Championship.

The battle in the bottom half of the table has been intense, with Pardew claiming the Premier League's lucrative new television deal has persuaded owners to spend more and more money in an attempt to avoid the drop.

“It's been an unbelievable season, and the reason I think it's been so tight in that bottom half is that the financial rewards were such that we've all gone really, really strong,” he said. “It's been very difficult and made everyone nervous I think.

“Look at QPR as an example. They really did everything they could to try and stay in this division. There's been a lot of money spent to try and stay in it. We've spent a lot of money in the January window and fortunately – although we were missing some key players again this weekend – we managed to get over the line.”

The time for recriminations has not quite arrived, with next weekend's final game against the Gunners offering an opportunity to at least partially atone for the recent wretched home displays against Sunderland and Liverpool.

However, Pardew has already begun to identify failings within his squad, and admits a lack of depth was a key factor, especially once the increased demands of the Europa League kicked in.

“The overriding emotion I have is that we didn't have enough quality in depth,” he said. “If I could put my first XI out every week at this football club, I think I would have a top-eight team. I really do. But in my opinion, I've only been able to put it out three times.

“So therefore if we're going to say, 'Okay, maybe a few of our players can't play a full season – you can't put it out every week', we need more strength in depth. You've got to try and improve that section below the first team. That's cost us a lot of points this year.”

One fringe player who suddenly finds himself thrust into the limelight is Steve Harper, who will now bid an emotional farewell as he makes his final appearance in a Newcastle shirt on Sunday.

“Steve came on (yesterday) and you would think he was going down the pub,” said Pardew. “He strolled on with such confidence because he's been here so many years and seen it all before.

“It's brilliant for him, and it's strange the way it's worked out. He's a great person. He'll definitely play because we can't appeal the two yellows, and for Harps it will be a special occasion. His contract is up and we haven't really discussed that. It'll be a great day for him and his family.”