Rafa Benitez takes Newcastle back to the Premier League

Rafa Benitez has taken Newcastle United back into the Premier League at the first attempt after securing promotion with victory over Preston on Monday night.
Brace from from Ayoze Perez, combined with goals from Christian Atsu and Matt Ritchie, returned Newcastle United to the Premier League.
More than 50,000 fans crowded at the St James' Park when the 4-1 victory over the Lillywhites was secured.

Rafael Benitez side quickly took the lead through Ayoze Perez, who popped up with the opener - a tap in at the back post after Preston failed to deal with a routine corner.
The visitors however, responded quickly and created two chances on the break, but the third resulted in a goal for Jordan Hugill that lead to Newcastle's defence scratching their heads.
Rafael Benitez, the former Liverpool and Real Madrid boss, stayed on with Newcastle after they were relegated to the Championship at the end of last season.

They became only the seventh team out of 18 to go straight back up in the past six years.
They will join Brighton - who secured their promotion to the Premier League next season for the first time last Monday.

For Benitez, 57-year-old, there was a twinkle of a smile at the end.

"I think I will have to analyse a lot of things, but I'm really pleased here," he told Sky Sports. "So hopefully we can do what we have to do to be stronger in the Premier League."

Benitez admitted it had been a tough old battle and the heat of competition had been intense.

"It wasn't easy at all," said Benitez. "You have seen a lot of teams in this competition knew what to do.

"We had to fight from the start and played some very good football sometimes, some not so good at times, but in the end we go up.

"I think from the last day of the last season, I wanted to show my loyalty to everyone here."

Speaking after the end of the match, Ritchie said: 'It's brilliant, it's what we set out to do and we've achieved that, so hopefully we can win the next two.

'It's been a little tense at times but we always believed, we had a strong belief, but it's disappointing not to be top of the league having been there a few weeks ago.

'Hopefully we can put them under a bit of pressure.'
Team captain Jamaal Lascelles said: 'It's been a tough season, lots of battling but it's all paid off, it's what we've been waiting for. I'm so proud of the boys and the fans have been unbelievable. I'm so proud.
'We want the title but the main aim was to get back in the Premier League.'

Lascelles later went on Twitter to thank the Newcastle fans for sticking by him and his team throughout the season.

This is what he wrote:

'Wow! What a season. A lot of ups and downs but the fans stook with us and believed in us. You have been our rock all season and I couldn't - be more happy. On behalf of all the players we appreciate you guys so much. Thankyou!'

Newcastle legend Alan Shearer also went on Twitter immediately after the final whistle, to congratulate his former club on their promotion. He wrote: 'Congratulations Rafa and well done @NUFC. The Premier League is a better place with the Toon in it! Now the fun begins.'

Banitez was drenched by his players which made him change of suit for his post-match media duties, but that did not in any way diminish his delight in returning to the Premier League.
'I am very proud, I have to congratulate my staff, the fans the city,' he told Sky Sports.

'It's been a long season but the players deserve it because they have been working so hard. I'm so proud of everyone here.

'From the beginning of the season we were working so hard. It's so hard when you were in the Premier League and had to go down and rebuild. You have seen a lot of teams with experience of the division and we had to play hard, but we now go up.

'From the last day of last season, against Tottenham, I wanted to show my loyalty and build a new team with the motivation to go up the first time. We have done really well but we can enjoy it now.'

When he was questioned about his own future, Benitez replied: 'We have to analyse a lot of things but I'm really pleased here, so hopefully we can do what we need to do when we go up.'