Newcastle United

Rafael Benitez: 'Newcastle United's form not a surprise'

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 22 September 2017

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez says that he is 'not surprised' to see his side towards the top of the Premier League table.

Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez has insisted that he is not 'surprised' by his side's recent form in the Premier League.

Having been promoted back to the top flight as Championship champions, the Magpies lost their first two games of the season but have since gone on to claim back-to-back victories over West Ham United, Swansea City and Stoke City.

That run has seen them go fourth in the early standings ahead of their trip to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon.

"It's not a surprise we are doing well when you see them training," he told reporters this afternoon. "It's more or less what I was expecting.

"It's important to see your team competing. You have to use the tools you have - we have a hard-working team with a good spirit.

"At the moment I am only thinking about getting three points at Brighton and that's it. It is important to have confidence but approach the game the same way as the last three games.

"The confidence is high but we can't be over-confident. The mentality is the same as it always is for every game."

After their trip to the south coast, Benitez welcomes his old side Liverpool in the final game before the international break.