Manager Rafa Benitez has hailed the performances of both Karl Darlow and Andros Townsend in the weekend’s victory over Crystal Palace.



With Townsend’s free kick just ahead of the hour mark proving to be enough to return all three points in Alan Pardew’s first return to St James’ Park since taking the Palace job, Benitez knew it was a huge three points for the side – lifting Newcastle out of the relegation places on the day – and whilst he had praise for the whole team, the goalscorer and the penalty saving stopper came in for specific praise.



The Chronicle have the gaffer quoted as saying in his post game press conference.



‘It was not just the penalty. The balls in the air when he punched the ball and he caught the ball two or three times, he gave confidence to the team that we needed in defence. He was important for the team. You can say always when a keeper saves a penalty that he is a hero, but then we can say the same with Andros. He did really well, I am really pleased for him – and hopefully he doesn`t need to save anymore penalties. That would be fine.’



Benitez again spoke about not looking at the Premier League table though or thinking anything had been achieved yet, as Newcastle are far from safe this season.



Whilst two wins from Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur would be nice, Rafa himself said we simply had to win one – Villa – and until that happens nobody should be thinking about Spurs.



‘No, we have to win one – the next one – and after, we will think about the other one. That`s the only way.’



With Darlow’s penalty save making headlines, he was also interviewed at the full time whistle and he hoped it would prove to be crucial in the battle to avoid relegation this year.



‘Hopefully it will be. If it saves us from relegation, then of course it’s going to be a big moment for this club. I just hope it can prove to be a moment that will be remembered and hopefully we can get out of this mess that we have got ourselves into. I was just preparing because I thought he’d given a free-kick to the defending team, so I was waiting to take that. Then I saw him point at the penalty spot and everyone was a bit bemused. That’s four without loss now and we move on to Aston Villa knowing it’s going to be another tricky game, and that we need to come away from there with three points again.’



