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Newcastle United return to Premier League after just one-year absence

Writer's picture: Andrew ZarbAndrew Zarb


Newcastle United have secured their return to the Premier League after just one season outside the top division after beating Preston North End 4-1.

Striker Ayoze Perez gave the Geordies the lead in the 7th minute. Their lead lasted only 7 minutes though, as Jordan Hugill equalised for Preston North End in the 14th minute. The tension in the crowd was evident throughout the half, though the mood changed dramatically when Christian Atsu put them back in the lead in the 44th minute.

The mood was still tense in the second half. In the 63rd minute, Paul Gallagher was sent off for handling the ball on the line. Matt Ritchie converted the resulting penalty and it was at this point where the nerves were settled (within the crowd). Ayoze Perez then wrapped up the scoring in the 67th minute for the hosts. At the final whistle celebrations began as Newcastle have now clinched promotion at the first time of asking, even if they perhaps made it harder for themselves than should have been, but will they care? They sure won't.

Speaking on their promotion, midfielder Isaac Hayden said:

“I’d definitely put it up there as the best moment of my career.”

“Last year at Hull, I was on loan so I knew I might not be there at the beginning of the season after. I didn’t play as much and contribute as much and I didn’t play in the final, so it’s not the same experience.

“But when you play a game like this tonight, of this importance, you know you have to be a player to play on the big occasions, in games that matter. That’s the most important thing for me, and tonight, we dug deep.

“It’s a completely different feeling for me, because last year I was kind of on the periphery a little bit. Although I helped them in stages, I didn’t really feel part of the core group that helped the team the most. I feel this season I’ve helped the team a lot more, I’ve been a lot more involved which is pleasing for me personally.

“But I’m a team player, and the aim was to get promoted. Every single player in there has contributed, and we’ve got over the line.”

“It’s a major relief, just to finally get it over the line. It’s a long, long hard season in the Championship, and to do it with two games to spare is brilliant.

“To have 50,000 fans every week, cheering our names – what more can you ask for? They’ve come in their droves, home and away, and to get over the line for them – especially at home – is really nice.”

“You have to enjoy the occasion, enjoy the night and enjoy tomorrow, but then after that it’s preparing for another game – that’s the Championship for you.”

“It’s brilliant, it’s a great feeling, but the hard work starts now. We can say that we’re back in the Premier League, but it’s about making sure we stay there and we give a good account of ourselves when we are in the Premier League.

“Especially for me, I’ve got to improve as an individual. It’s not easy – it’s a big step up from the Championship to the Premier League, and you’re going to be playing against better players, cleverer players and physically stronger players, so it’s now about preparing my body and mind for the last two games and then the start of the Premier League.”

“The next objective now is to try and win the league. We’ve still got two games left to play, it’s not in our hands, but if we can go to Cardiff and get three points then it does put the pressure back on Brighton and you never know – anything can happen in football,” he said.

“The most important thing was to be promoted to the Premier League. We’ve done that now, and we don’t want to dwell on it, think ‘we’ve done it’ and sack the last two games off.

“We’ve got a chance to win the title, and as long as it’s mathematically possible for us to win the title we will be focussed on doing it.”


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