From the danger zone to the top 10

United make it three wins in a row:

JAMAAL Lascelles is confident Newcastle United are looking beyond simply ensuring Premier League survival this season and insists the Magpies do have an ambition to finish in the top 10.

The Toon skipper helped guide the black-and-whites to an impressive 2-1 win over Leicester City which put a clear gap between Newcastle and those scrapping to avoid the drop.

Lascelles was in fine form as he made some crucial blocks and clearances at the King Power Stadium and kept Leicester’s front line quiet for the majority of the game.

Speaking about United’s current position, Lascelles said: “If someone had told us we’d be on 38 points with six games to go, we’d have snapped their hand off. “The only place we’re looking now is up – making sure we get safe.

“We’re not going to be taking our foot off the gas; some teams, when they get safe, if they’ve got nothing to play for, they will be on the beach with three or four games to go. “But we won’t be – we’re going to take it right to the last game trying to push for places in the table because it sets a statement and on a personal and a collective note, it’s an excellent achievement.” Rafa Benitez also refused to declare Newcastle’s safety after Saturday’s win, but if one thing can be said, it’s the fact United can at least now enjoy a relatively stress-free end to the campaign. That hasn’t been the case in recent years with either relegation woe or promotion nerves hanging over the club. Lascelles said: “Even last season, when we were top of the table or second, there was a bit of anxiety because you’re always looking at teams below you. “We were totting it up, saying ‘If we win this game, where are we going to be?.’ “I’ve thought before the last couple of games we were in that situation as well, where we were looking at other teams and seeing who they were playing.

“But now the position we’re in, I think we can start really enjoying our football and play with a bit more freedom and confidence.

“I’m not saying we’ll be taking our foot off the gas at all but without that anxiety, it brings more confidence and that can only end up with us playing better football.”

At the end of the game, the entire Newcastle team celebrated that winning feeling in front of the 3,200 Toon fans, with many players throwing their shirts into the crowd.

Talking about his pride, Lascelles said: “If you look at it like that, it’s an excellent achievement.

“The boys, the fans and the manager have made it really easy for me.

“They have put everything in place and I’m playing with some excellent players who give their all for the badge. The fans are really supportive which brings a lot of confidence, and with the manager showing us so much trust, it feels as though there’s not much we can do wrong.

“I definitely feel like our hard work over the whole season is paying off now.”

With the manager showing us so much trust, it feels as though there’s not much we can do wrong Jamaal Lascelles