Benitez: My team still has a lot to learn

RAFA Benitez believes his Newcastle United players are still learning about life in the Premier League.

The Magpies climbed into the top 10 after an impressive 2-1 win over Europa League candidates Leicester City to keep up their fine form.

However, the victory was United’s first away since they won on New Year’s Day at Stoke City and Benitez puts that inconsistent sequence down to a lack of topflight experience.

He said: “We had games where we deserved something more.

“I have said sometimes before that this is a young team.

“It is a team of young players from the Championship, some of them without experience of the Premier League - so it was a learning process.

“Little by little we are learning little things.”

Yet United showed their progress after holding on to their lead at the King Power Stadium and earning three important points - unlike the trip to Bournemouth when they squandered a two-goal advantage on the South Coast.

That day a miss from midfielder Jonjo Shelvey should have sealed the point.

However, he was all smiles against the Foxes after scoring the opener and putting his team on course for victory.

Shelvey said: “It is those little details which can make a big difference.

“We have said before we could have won against Bournemouth when we had a chance to score the third goal and finished the game - but we did not do it and instead drew.

“So it is these little details which can make the difference in any division - but especially in the Premier League.

“We are learning a bit more now.”

After the game Benitez and his players made their way over to the away following from Tyneside in a moment which summed the day up for the Toon boss.

He reflected: “I was pleased with every player and also the fans.

“There is a really good connection between everyone at the moment.”