He said: “Personally, I have learnt how to play more physically”.
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Perez added a fourth goal with 23 minutes to seal a 4-1 win and promotion. “He loves the passion of the fans”.
Newcastle fans – who can you sign this summer? I will say again, the mistakes we have made in the crucial moment when you think you are doing well, winning the game, then mentally it is not easy to recover when you don’t win.
As the celebrations began, two-goal hero Perez began dousing his team-mates in water, before a giant cheer erupted as Benitez left the dugout and walked triumphantly out into the centre circle to celebrate with his players.
They will likely have to settle for second behind Brighton, bossed by ex-Magpies chief Chris Hughton. I don’t know how much, but to enjoy.
Despite selling Dutch midfielder Gini Wijnaldum to Liverpool for a reported 25 million pounds following relegation, Benitez has acted astutely in the transfer market.
The Magpies, who got relegated from the English top flight at the end of last season, have ascertained their place in the top two of the Championship.
A double from Ayoze Perez, a calm Christian Atsu finish and a Matt Ritchie penalty secured victory and promotion for Newcastle, who were pegged back by a wondrous Jordan Hugill finish after quarter of an hour.
Jonjo Shelvey’s whipped corner was not dealt with by Preston and ended up hitting the post via a deflection before bouncing against an unwitting Perez and over the line from close range.
They got off to the ideal start when, having already seen Aleksandar Mitrovic come close to his fifth goal of the season against the Lilywhites with a curling effort from the edge of the box, they took a seventh-minute lead. They’ve had a fantastic season. The Premier League is different and you have to change your squad.
“Preston were in the game for long periods of time and caused problems, but once they got the goal before half-time, it always looked like Newcastle were going to go on”.
“We still have a chance to win the league but the most important thing is next year we have Premier League football here”.
For 57-year-old Benitez, there was a glimmer of a smile at the end – although he is not one known for wearing his heart on his sleeve – and a qualified response as to whether he would remain with the club.
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“They said: “Rafa doesn’t know about the Championship”. We could be higher and have more points.
