Rafa Benitez: Swansea win massive for Newcastle's survival bid
Saturday 16 April 2016 22:34, UK
Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez hopes Saturday's victory over Swansea will be the catalyst for Premier League survival.
The 3-0 win was Benitez's first since taking charge at St James' Park and boosts the Magpies' chances of avoiding the drop.
They are now three points behind 17th-placed Norwich, who lost to Sunderland earlier in the day, and have a game in hand on the Canaries.
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"The three points are massive for us," Benitez told Sky Sports. "I have to say congratulations to our players and fans for sticking together. With the players working as hard as they did today and the fans getting behind the team we are stronger.
"We have three home games left and if we can play at the same level and with the same intensity then the fans will appreciate that and stay with the team and we will have more chance to win more points."
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Benitez made five changes to the starting line-up after defeat at Southampton the previous weekend, including dropping Jonjo Shelvey and Aleksandar Mitrovic to the bench.
The decision was justified by the result and Benitez said afterwards: "You have to give credit to the XI that started because they worked so well, but the subs helped a lot.
"(Papiss) Cisse did a fantastic job up front and Mitrovic did the same, that is what you are expect when you bring players from the bench. We need everyone and if everyone can help it will be much better for the team and the fans."
Benitez was also pleased with the reaction from his side after their loss at Southampton, when they were criticised for their below-par display.
"We were disappointed (with the Southampton performance) and you expect a reaction," said Benitez. "The reaction was amazing, the fans recognised the effort so it is positive for everyone and hopefully it can be the first win of many.
"We knew we had to win. The main thing was to play well, to win and give our fans the belief that we will fight until the end."
Watch Newcastle take on Manchester City in a Football Special on Tuesday, April 19 from 7pm on Sky Sports 1.
