Rafael Benitez has challenged Newcastle to use their shock victory over champions Manchester City as a springboard for their latest bid for Premier League survival.
Matt Ritchie’s coolly-taken 80th-minute penalty secured a first league win over City in 23 attempts at St James’ Park on Tuesday evening, easing the Magpies five points clear of the drop zone in the process.
It came a little short of 12 months since a 1-0 home victory over Manchester United provided the catalyst for their escape last season.
Benitez, who is hoping for a transfer window breakthrough on Wednesday with Paraguay international Miguel Almiron scheduled to have a medical on Tyneside, is keeping his fingers crossed that they can repeat the feat.
He said: “I hope so. It’s a good example that we can use in the future.
“For the players, they will feel that doing things this way, we can win against anyone because we have been close against the top sides, we have not conceded many goals and everyone has been talking about the goal difference.
“But in this case, it’s not just the goal difference, it’s three points and a lot of confidence for the future.”
The outcome looked likely to be very different when Sergio Aguero fired the visitors ahead with just 25 seconds on the clock, but City failed to build on their early advantage and were eventually made to pay.
Salomon Rondon volleyed the home side level with 66 minutes gone and when Sean Longstaff was toppled inside the box by Fernandinho’s clumsy challenge, a remarkable fightback was on.
Matt Ritchie nervelessly dispatched the resulting 80th-minute penalty to raise the roof at St James’ Park, where the discontent which has mounted in recent weeks could be dissipated further if the Almiron deal is completed.
City could barely believe what had transpired as they trudged from the pitch knowing that leaders Liverpool will go seven points clear at the top of they beat Leicester at Anfield on Wednesday evening.
However, manager Pep Guardiola was refusing to throw in the towel.
He said: “We are in January and there’s a lot of time. But of course, when you are behind the leader, you don’t have to drop points because you help them and of course, every game is one less.
“But we are in January, so we have a lot of titles and games still to play.”
