Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez hailed his side's hard-working display to see off Rotherham 1-0 and make it back-to-back victories.
A first-half solo strike from on-loan Chelsea winger Christian Atsu proved to be the difference between the two sides.
The Magpies go into the international break in second position in the Sky Bet Championship, three points behind Huddersfield, and Benitez praised his side's workmanlike display that saw them beat rock-bottom Rotherham, who Benitez feels are better than their position in the table.
He said: "It was a great, great goal. We won against a good team. I said before that (Rotherham) don't deserve to be where they are.
"They were pushing and pushing us and with that kind of play they will win games and be higher in the table."
Newcastle only created a handful of chances in the second half to extend their lead with one goal proving to be enough.
"I enjoy winning, it doesn't matter how," added Benitez.
"To get three points is what you have to do. We can try to play nice football but sometimes it is not enough. The game plan was to work hard and do our best in terms of physicality and tempo and then after that use your quality. That is what we did.
"It is important to win before and after the internationals. Normally when you go away for a week or 10 days if you lose, it's always worse.
"To win against Norwich and then win against Rotherham is massive and important for the confidence of the team."