Why Rafa Benitez is refusing to look up the Premier League table at Newcastle

Rafa Benitez during the game against Huddersfield.

Newcastle United moved closer to safety after beating Huddersfield Town 1-0 at St James’s Park on Saturday.

Benitez’s side – who have a game in hand – are now within striking distance of a clutch of mid-table teams.

However, Newcastle’s manager remains preoccupied with the situation at the bottom end of the table.

Asked if he was looking up the table, Benitez said: “Not really, I wanted to know how the other teams around us had done, but I know we have to win at least another game (to be safe).

“I’m not watching more at the top of the table, I just want to make sure we enjoy the next couple of days and we are ready for the next game, to get three points and move even further away from the relegation places.”

Benitez always felt his team would perform better in the second half of the season.

Asked why, he said: “It’s the way we train.

“We don’t just coach, we try to teach players. They are learning what they have to do.

“It’s not just about this season, it’s for the rest of their lives. You have to do this, they make 10 runs, and they have to make the right ones.”

Meanwhile, Huddersfield manager David Wagner felt his team deserved a point.

“It was frustrating to concede so late in the game,” said Wagner. “I feel that our game plan worked perfectly.”