Newcastle return to Premier League with win over Preston

English championship side Newcastle FC have returned to the English Premier League following their 4-1 victory over 10-man Preston North End on Monday night.

Rafa Benitez’s men are favourites to win the Championship title, but have lost form recently, winning only two of their last eight matches.

However, the Magpies put up a resounding display in front of their home fans, to join Brighton and Hove Albion in booking a place in the top flight.

“I have to congratulate the players, the staff, everyone here in the club and city,” Benitez said after his victory.

“In the end it was a very difficult task because it’s a very difficult division and we had to keep going and pushing. There are a lot of things you cannot control but in the end we are where we wanted to be.”

Read Also: Injured Ibrahimovic vows to return stronger

Recalled striker Ayoze Perez scored a brace in the absence of top scorer Dwight Gayle, who was missing because of a hamstring problem. Christian Atsu and Matt Richie were also on target.

Ritchie scored Newcastle’s third from the penalty spot in the 65th minute, after Paul Gallagher was sent off for deliberate handball.

Newcastle have two more games to play and are currently in second place, four points behind Brighton.

“This day is massive because everyone said at the beginning you have to go straight up. You know from experience it’s not easy for any team, especially when you go down and have to change half the squad,” the coach continued.

“I think it’s a really important achievement for everyone involved because you have to keep strong mentally and keep going for so many months.”

 

 

 

 

RipplesNigeria ….without borders, without fears

Click here to download the Ripples Nigeria App for latest updates

 

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now