GOING UP IS EASY AYOZE!
Perez strikes twice to start the Prem party on Tyneside
THE chant started after the 62ndminute clincher. “Rafa Benitez... Rafa Benitez...”
Newcastle had finally got the job done – the evening mirroring the season. A strong start, a little wobble, but ultimately a success. St James’ Park celebrated first by paying tribute to the man who gave them hope 12 months ago. And then the inevitable: “Geordies in the Premier League... Sunderland in the Championship.” It wasn’t a night for unbridled delirium. Perhaps because United should never have got relegated last season. But Benitez and his team, built for this tough division, had put right last term’s failure. It was Matt Ritchie, probably their player of the season, who grabbed Toon’s third of the night and put promotion beyond doubt. He slotted home a penalty, after Paul Gallagher handled, and saw red, saving Isaac Hayden’s goal-bound shot. That brought relief, as did Ayoze Perez’s second of the night and fourth for United, bundling home a corner that hit the post. Of the last 18 sides to be relegated, only two have gone up automatically at the first attempt, giving the achievement some context. This is Newcastle’s sixth promotion in their 125-year history – but only the second achieved in front of a home crowd. Not since the mid-60s has St James’ Park witnessed its heroes going up, so the joy was understandable. Benitez has been deeply disappointed in recent weeks that his side have not functioned particularly well. They have all but squandered the chance to win the title but he reckons, come August, the small detail of the campaign won’t matter. What does matter is promotion, after such a huge turn around in players last summer, he built a side suitable for the Championship despite having no experience at this level. Rivals may claim United bought their way into the top two, but Benitez actually made a £20million-plus profit last summer in his dealings. Of course, it wouldn’t have been the Newcastle way to make a simple job of getting the one win they needed last night. With 22-goal Dwight Gayle still out with hamstring trouble, it fell to others to get United over the line, including Perez. The Spaniard bundled home a Ritchie corner, possibly with a hint of arm, after Ciaran Clark’s flick, for his 10th goal of the campaign. However, the lead only lasted a few minutes, with some dodgy defending and a good finish from Jordan Hugill getting Preston level. Newcastle play with the emotions of their fans and made hard work of the first half. Vurnon Anita was caught upfield twice early on and failed to cut out Tom Barkhuizen’s cross. Recalled Clark was a yard off Teesside lad Hugill, allowing him to poke past Rob Elliot. A big investment in defence will be needed to turn this side into a Premier League back four. Benitez axed keeper Karl Darlow and recalled Elliott after his long-term injury in a surprise move. And the Ireland keeper justified that decision with a stunning save after 11 minutes from Daniel Johnson to keep United ahead. Despite Toon dominating, Preston were quick on the counter attack, keeper Chris Maxwell launching several with giant kicks. Hugill worked the line brilliantly, giving Jamaal Lascelles and Clark a tough, physical night. It took until the stroke of half time for United to find a counter punch and take the lead again. Hayden nicked the ball in midfield and broke to slip a pass to Aleksandar Mitrovic. The Serb unselfishly crossed for on-loan Chelsea winger Christian Atsu, who finished well. Toon were far more comfortable after the break and with two more goals the job was done. Now, for next season back in the big time.