Daily Star

Super Salomon gives Rafa another reason to get him signed up

- MON BIRD

dominated them. They ut five touches in our he first half. They just re to keep a clean sheet ng as possible. witch off for about 10 s and that changed the ain. one knows Newcastle cult to break down even and if they are 1-0 ’s even more difficult. hat we’ve seen today. is the time where we pick up points. It matter how we play. hat is what we have to e next weeks now, to be t both ends of the pitch some points on the

RAFA BENITEZ has vowed to help Salomon Rondon fly up the goal charts.

Rondon has netted four goals in six games including the winner here that shot Newcastle four points clear of the bottom three, with Fulham to play next weekend.

But it is not Benitez’s style to come up with lavish compliment­s and wallow in the celebratio­ns of a vital win.

Instead, the Spaniard has a plan for his battling on-loan No.9 who offers ruthless finishing, hold-up play and a physical presence.

“I am happy with him, but still he can improve,” said the Toon boss.

“I don’t want to give too much credit to him – and by that I mean I don’t want to take too much credit from the others.

“He is doing a great job for the team, but we have to support him a little bit more.

“If he has more support, if he has more crosses and passes into him, then he will score more goals because he can do it.

“Anyone can do it if you give them more assists, but I think with Salomon, if the team puts the ball in the right position, then he will also be on the end of the crosses, or at the end of the passes.”

Asked if Newcastle could net him permanentl­y from West Brom, Benitez added: “It will be fine.

“Hopefully he can start scoring a lot of goals, and then you can ask me this in a few weeks and hopefully it can be positive then too.”

Rondon struck in the second half in a sweeping break. Despite having just 26 per cent possession all match, Newcastle won it when a clever Ayoze Perez ball opened up the game for Javier Manquillo to cross for Rondon to finish.

Rondon’s night was only slightly ruined by taking almost an hour after

 ??  ?? TOUCH OF CLASS: Rondon is in the right place for his fourth goal in six matches TOP MARTS: A fine stop from keeper Martin Dubravka denies Chris Lowe a goal
TOUCH OF CLASS: Rondon is in the right place for his fourth goal in six matches TOP MARTS: A fine stop from keeper Martin Dubravka denies Chris Lowe a goal

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