Newcastle United back to the Premier League

 
Rafa Benitez is celebrating leading Newcastle back to the Premier League – but refused to say whether he would still be in charge of the North East club next season.

Newcastle sealed the £200million jackpot
and promotion after only one season out of the top flight by beating Preston 4-1.

Christian Atsu, Matt Ritchie and Ayoze Perez scored the goals that confirmed they would be back among the big boys in front of more than 50,000 fans at St James’ Park.

But the future of Benitez is unclear after the former Liverpool and Chelsea manager avoided committing himself to Newcastle when asked.

'The fans have been amazing with me,' Benitez said. 'Their loyalty and everything it means to being a top team like this, with the city behind you.

'That is why I decided to stay, and now I am even happier than before that I made this decision. I am really proud and really pleased.

Now is the time to enjoy what we have done. I am sure if we do the right things, we have to prepare everything to be strong enough for the Premier League.

'We have to wait and enjoy it, play another two games and see where we are.'

Asked if he will be in charge of the club in the Premier League, Benitez answered: ‘You never know. That is football.
 

'I am really pleased to be here, and really happy and proud for everything we have achieved. Hopefully, we can put in the foundations for something that will be a guarantee for the future.What we need is to enjoy today, and after we will see where we are.'

Despite the scoreline making the win look easy, this was a tense evening on Tyneside.

Perez’s opener was cancelled out in the 14th minute by Preston’s Jordan Hugill as Newcastle appeared nervous. Atsu then scored on the stroke of half time to make it 2-1.

After the break, Preston made mistakes as skipper Paul Gallagher was sent off in the 64th minute for handball on the line. A Ritchie penalty and another goal by Perez completed the 4-1 scoreline.

Newcastle started the season as favourites for promotion.

Benitez added: ‘At the beginning when everyone was saying, “Rafa has no experience in the Championship, it will be tough”, it was right.

‘But the commitment of the players, the hard work of the staff involved and after the support of the fans has made a massive difference.

‘It is a day we have to remember because it is not easy to go down and go up first time.’

Alan Shearer also tweeted last night: ‘Congratulations Rafa and well done Newcastle. The Premier League is a better place with the Toon in it! Now the fun begins.’

Already-promoted Brighton, who held their annual awards dinner last night, would have been crowned champions had Preston beaten Newcastle. They didn’t stand a chance after a second-half collapse.

Preston manager Simon Grayson said: ‘I thought we controlled the game until that minute before half time when we shot ourselves in the foot. We were the masters of our own downfall.

‘Newcastle haven't had to work too hard to win that game. We’ve gifted them a lot of goals.

‘Full congratulations to Rafa and his group. They deserve to be back in the Premier League.’