Benitez: We worked hard to get a draw

RAFA Benitez felt Newcastle United’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace was a fair result and has challenged his team to find more of the same determination to pull away from trouble in the Premier League.

The Magpies had taken the lead through Mo Diame before Luka Milivojevic’s penalty tied the game up after Ciaran Clark’s shirt-pull on Christian Benteke.

Reflecting on the game, Benitez said: “In the first half we were in control, doing well, we had another chance to score the second goal.

“In the second half the counterattack made a big difference.

“If you don’t score the second goal then you are under pressure and you have to defend. I was happy with how we were defending against very good strikers.

“It could be better but it could be worse. It is one point in the end and, more or less, that is fair.”

Benitez was pleased with the way his side churned out a point on a day in which Palace pushed them all the way at Selhurst Park.

He added: “It was very clear from the beginning we were working really hard, particularly towards the end when we were blocking and running.

“That is the only way for us and the others towards the bottom of the table.”

Benitez (pictured below) also believes his team coped well with former Manchester United winger Wilfried Zaha, who caused problems all afternoon.

He said: “In the first half he was playing as a striker, in the second half he went on the wing.

“Yedlin at full-back could deal with the balls in behind but when Zaha got the ball in to feet he did well.

“Defensively the players did well.”