Newcastle clinched a return to the Premier League when Nottingham Forest was held to a 0-0 tie at home by Cardiff on Monday, guaranteeing the Magpies a top two finish in the second-tier League Championship.
Newcastle (26-4-11) has 89 points following a 2-1 victory over Sheffield United, six more then West Bromwich Albion (24-7-11), which tied 1-1 at Watford.
Forest (20-10-12) is third with 72 points with four games left and appears headed to the four-team playoffs for the fhird and final promotion berth to the 2010-11 Premier League.
``This is a wonderful achievement and we are absolutely delighted,'' Newcastle manager Chris Hughton said. ``That we have secured promotion with six games to spare is testament to this set of players and how good a season they've had. This is what we've been building towards all season and I'm delighted for everyone associated with the club.''
Until last season's relegation, Newcastle had been in the top division since 1993, twice finishing second and challenging for a league title it has not won since 1927.
But the club ran into financial woes, had to sell top players and, despite consistent home crowds of more than 50,000, dropped out of the Premier League with owner Mike Ashley trying to sell the club. Ashley has since taken Newcastle off the market.
