Rafa Benitez tells his Newcastle players to keep calm and carry on

Benitez's side lead the Championship ahead of tomorrow night's game against Reading at the Madejski Stadium.

Newcastle beat Huddersfield Town 3-1 Saturday to stretch their lead over second-placed Brighton and Hove Albion, beaten by Nottingham Forest at the weekend, to five points.

And United manager Benitez told BBC Radio Newcastle: "We have a group of players who try their maximum every game.

"Sometimes we make mistakes because of the pressure, but the same happens with the other team.

"It's important for us to do our best. If it's right, fine. If not, we carry on."

Asked about the significance of the Huddersfield result, Benitez added: "It's good, but that's it. We have Reading, and there are a lot of points to play for. We have to prepare for the next game."

Newcastle now lead third-placed Huddersfield by 11 points, though David Wagner's side have a game in hand.

“It’s still only eight points, not 11, because Huddersfield are a good team, so they can win that game in hand," said Benitez.

"The players know it is not job done. The Brighton result at Forest proves that. This is a very difficult league and we have to keep going.”

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