Sunday 5 February 2017 17:12, UK
Rafa Benitez praised the positive influence the St James' Park support has on his Newcastle side after watching them claim a 1-0 win over Derby.
A fraught week on Tyneside ended on a high note as Matt Ritchie's winner sent the Magpies back to the top of the Championship table, with the home supporters keen to back their Spanish manager after he vented his frustration at Newcastle's failure to make any signings during the January transfer window.
Benitez, who made a point of congratulating all of his players as they left the field, has refused to commit himself beyond the end of the season, with Mike Ashley's reassertion of his control over transfer affairs having raised fears about the long-term stability of the club.
Benitez said: "The fans have been amazing for me all year and I'm happy if they continue singing my name, but also supporting the players. If the players win I win, and if the players win the fans win.
"It was important they realised that they can make the difference in a game like this. From the start they were ready to back the team and cheer the players.
"The players responded to it. We started the game well and the fans were happy with that. You could feel the atmosphere when we scored the goal and the fans know the players will run a little bit more if they can feel this support and this atmosphere."
Having conceded a stoppage-time equaliser in Wednesday's 2-2 draw with QPR, Benitez admitted it was crucial Newcastle did not throw another two points away as Derby staged a late rally.
He said: "We played good football for a while and every three points is important.
"It doesn't matter how you get them. In the end we had to defend really well against a really good team to get the points that we deserved."
