Muzzling Terriers puts the Magpies halfway to paradise of safety

INCREDIBLY Newcastle United could be on the brink of the halfway mark to Premier League safety if they beat Fulham at St James’ Park on Saturday.

Their well-deserved victory at Huddersfield Town nudged them up to 16 points, meaning a win over the Cottagers would leave them a point shy of half of the socalled “magic 40” which usually guarantees top-flight survival.

Of course, it could well be less than that this year and last season 34 points would have been enough to keep Newcastle in the Premier League - which is certainly food for thought looking at the table right now.

In the end, they picked up 44 last term and finished 10th after a great run of results in the second half of the campaign.

Compared to 12 months ago, the Magpies are actually one point better off this season than they were after 17 games last term.

However, a tough festive programme after the home game with Fulham awaits with trips to Liverpool and Watford followed by the January 2 encounter with Manchester United.

Yet considering Rafa Benitez’s side went 10 games without a win at the start of the season it is not in bad shape. It is testament to Benitez’s management of a group of players who have been put together despite financial restraints in the boardroom at St James’ Park.

Benitez has continued to refer to games as “cup finals” this season because he is keen to point out Newcastle are one of the division’s big underdogs.

United may have an impressive history in the Premier League after challenging for the title and playing in the Champions League in years gone by. Yet Benitez’s team is a low-budget outfit which struggles to match the wages on offer at places like Bournemouth, Wolves and Fulham.

United have spent less much less - and keeping the team in the Premier League will be a massive achievement for Benitez regardless of what happens to him in May 2019 when his contract is finished. Survival is a big possibility if United keep on carving out results like the win at Huddersfield.

If United did not have character they would not have succeeded at the John Smith’s Stadium on a freezing afternoon in West Yorkshire.

The Terriers threw everything at