NEWCASTLE UTD 1 SUNDERLAND 1
21. Rob Elliot
22. Daryl Janmaat 71'
18. Chancel Mbemba
15. Jamaal Lascelles
4. Jack Colback 62'
12. Jonjo Shelvey
5. Georginio Wijnaldum
25. Andros Townsend 76'
17. Ayoze Perez
7. Moussa Sissoko
45. Aleksandar Mitrovic
Subs
8. Vurnon Anita 71'
9. Papiss Cisse 76'
10. Siem de Jong 62'
23. Henri Saivet
26. Karl Darlow
27. Steven Taylor
29. Emmanuel Riviere
The Magpies were close to losing their seventh Tyne-Wear derby in succession after Jermain Defoe’s first half strike, but Mitrovic equalized to end the unwanted run by heading in Georginio Wijnaldum’s cross seven minutes from full time.
And despite just six goals since his £14.5million move from Anderlecht in the summer, Benitez is confident that the Serbia international can add to this tally if provided the right service, which will greatly boost the club’s chances of staying in the English top flight.
He said: “I said before that he has the potential. We have to help him a little bit with better crosses, better deliveries and support and get closer to him, but he will score goals if we can do that.
“We are creating chances, we are attacking and we can be there, so we have to improve this part of the game and create more chances and Mitrovic or Papiss Cisse or the other strikers will score more goals and we will be fine.”
Benitez replaced Steve McClaren last week as the Toon Army aim to avoid relegation, with Newcastle three points off the safety zone languishing in 19th.
After the international break, Benitez’s men will face 17th place Norwich City in a must-win relegation six-pointer at the beginning of April.