What Rafa Told Them!

Last updated : 29 September 2016 By Footy Mad - Editor

Rafael Benitez could not deny himself a celebration on the pitch as Newcastle staged a remarkable fightback to snatch a dramatic 4-3 Sky Bet Championship victory over Norwich.

The Spaniard, who famously guided Liverpool to Champions League glory in Istanbul after they had trailed 3-0 to AC Milan at the break, saw the Magpies score twice in stoppage time to edge a seven-goal thriller at St James' Park.

Benitez said with a smile after seeing his staff and substitutes charge on to the pitch at the end of the game: "I was there. I was not jumping, but I was there in the middle. I am getting older.

"I am the kind of manager who gets excited, but especially inside because I am really proud when I see the team reacting. I am really proud of them.

"Some people will jump or run or whatever, but I am happy inside because I think it's something that's difficult to achieve."

On a topsy-turvy night on Tyneside, Newcastle should really have had the game wrapped up inside the opening 25 minutes as chances went begging, and Graham Dorrans cancelled out Dwight Gayle's opener from the penalty spot with a minute of the first half remaining.

But by the time the game had reached the 69-minute mark, the Canaries had taken it by the scruff of the neck to lead 3-1 courtesy of strikes from Cameron Jerome and Jacob Murphy.

Gayle reduced the deficit within two minutes, but the real drama came at the death when Yoan Gouffran levelled before the former Crystal Palace frontman completed his hat-trick in the sixth minute of stoppage time.