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Rafa Benitez was back at work just a day after Newcastle United sealed the Sky Bet Championship title.

Benitez cut short any post-season celebrations or the chance of an early holiday by taking in the Under-23 side’s crunch promotion showdown with Fulham at St James’ Park.

In another positive sign that the Toon boss is planning for the future, Benitez was an interested spectator in the stands as United’s youngsters booked their place in the Premier League 2 play-off final.

The former Real Madrid boss has been mainly focused on promotion this season but will now decide which youngsters will get a chance with the senior squad.

Benitez had insisted earlier in the season that Newcastle’s second string needed to instil a “winning mentality” and tore up the policy of former United managers which dictated that results at reserve team level aren’t important.

And he was delighted to see Peter Beardsley’s boys see off the Cottagers in style at St James’.

On four minutes Tom Heardman knocked the ball down for Haris Vuckic, but his effort was struck straight at the goalkeeper.

(Image: The Chronicle)

Three minutes later a good run from Adam Wilson allowed him to then roll the ball to Heardman but he curled it wide.

United grabbed the lead with seven minutes gone after Jamie Holmes got free down the right before sliding the ball past Marek Rodak at the Leazes End.

Newcastle came close to a second on 15 minutes when Vuckic slipped a fine pass to Barlaser, but his shot cannoned off the inside of the post.

United’s Belgian goalkeeper Matz Sels was called into action with 23 minutes on the clock when Stephen Humprhys smashed a free-kick at goal from 35 yards, but the United stopper was equal to it.

Newcastle continued to probe Fulham at the other end and after Barlaser had a shot blocked, Heardman could only fire over the top as the game edged towards half-time.

Watch: Lee Ryder on the under-23s

However, it was 2-0 10 minutes before the break.

A corner from Holmes was whipped in perfectly with ex-Celtic defender Stuart Findlay flicking home inside the six-yard box to extend the lead.

United had to thank Owen Bailey during first- half stoppage time after the defender threw himself in the way of Mikolaj Kwietniewski’s close-range effort.

On 52 minutes Sels made a fine save to tip over Elijah Adebayo’s header.

Heardman was denied by the feet of Rodak five minutes later after Wilson slipped him in down the right-hand side.

Sels saved again to deny full Wales international George Williams after a one on one with 20 minutes remaining.

(Image: The Chronicle)

Newcastle responded when substitute Lewis Cass made a fine run down the left before curling a low effort just wide.

Luke Charman had two good chances to make things comfortable for Newcastle but lacked composure and blazed two efforts into the stand.

However, Newcastle had done enough to book their place in the final of the Premier League 2 play-offs.

They will now face West Ham in an end of season showpiece at St James’ Park on Friday night at 7pm.

United : Sels; Newberry, Bailey, Findlay, Gibson (Cass 59); Hunter, Barlaser; Holmes (Fernandez 76), Vuckic (Charman 52) , Wilson; Heardman.

Fulham : Rodak, Sheckleford, Edun, Kait, Davies, Jenz (Opoku 50), De la Torre, Kwietniewski (O’Riley 75), Adebayo, Williams, Humphrys (Harris 90).