Benitez: United can’t afford to get complacent after win

RAFA Benitez has warned Newcastle United that they can’t afford to take their foot off the gas in the Premier League.

A comprehensive 3-0 win over Southampton allowed the Magpies to put a five-point gap between themselves and the bottom three and give Benitez’s team some muchneeded breathing room as they fight to stay in the top flight.

Significantly, the win over the Saints kept the South Coast side deep in trouble while Newcastle clambered towards a steadier position.

United ended the weekend in 13th thanks to Saturday’s win, moving up three places in another illustration of how tight this season’s Premier League table is at the bottom end.

After the game Benitez said: “I have seen the table, obviously, but it’s not a big difference for me.

“We knew that we had to win those game and now we will have in three weeks Huddersfield and it will be another massive game.

“But still we have to win two or three games if we want to be sure that we are in the Premier League next year.”

Benitez stated that he was not relieved after the win but wants his team to keep up the same standard of performance.

He said: “No, not really. That was just the intention because we needed to continue doing well.

“When we were winning 3-0 and we had the control, what I wanted was a clean sheet.

“It was just to be sure that the team doesn’t lose its concentration and keeps going trying to do their best in every game until the last minute.”