The Toon’s promotion campaign started before the season did when they were unbeaten in the final six games of the previous season including a final day 5-1 annihilation of Spurs showing that while the Magpies were down they certainly weren’t out.
The ‘Rafa-lution’ saw 11 players leave and another 17 depart on loan while in total a dozen came in. A Champions League winner, Benitez loaded up with players equipped to get Newcastle straight out of the Championship and despite back to back shock defeats to begin with United were soon in full stride.
Six wins in a row culminated in a 6-0 away victory at QPR, but even better was to come. Three late late goals transformed a 3-1 home deficit to Norwich into a sensational 4-3 triumph that kicked off a nine game winning run, and with 50,000 plus packing St. James’ Park the promotion parade seemed inevitable with Newcastle never out of the top two from mid-October.
Goal machine Gayle blew opposition defences away and even when injury meant things weren’t all right on the Dwight, Benitez’s boys had more than enough strength in depth to ensure an immediate return to the top flight as the Premier League’s north east standard bearers.
‘Toon Up’ takes a step by step look at a glorious season as Newcastle stamped their authority on the division and prepare to take their place back in the Premier League. Published at the end of May – PRE-ORDER your copy now for just £9.99 including P&P.. Please note, copies will be dispatched at the end of May’17 when published.
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