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Newcastle United took a massive step towards Premier League safety with a win over Huddersfield Town at St James’ Park.

An Ayoze Perez goal in the 80th minute was enough to secure all three points and take the Magpies to within touching distance of the so called magic 40 point mark.

Rafa Benitez’s side lie 12th on 35 points - seven points from the relegation zone with just seven games to go.

It was a game in which the best and worst of the Magpies was shown - from the tremendous spirit and never say die attitude to the lack of clinicalness in-front of goal. It was 90 minutes of torture for the fans.

Here’s five things you might have missed.

Rafa Benitez on the pitch at full time

(Image: PA)

As the final whistle went, the relief around St James’ Park was clear to see. Five more minutes and United’s resolute defending may have succumbed to a Huddersfield Town which with a few minutes to go, had suddenly realised the importance of three points.

And that fact was not lost on Benitez. He was straight on the pitch as the referee drew proceedings to a close. He headed to each side of St James’ Park applauding the fans who had come out in subzero temperatures.

That is not a usual trait of Benitez, or at least the manner he did so this time and the feeling was that he felt this was Newcastle’s most significant win of the season so far.

A refresher course into to back pass rule

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

The last act of the first half saw Mathias Jorgensen knee the ball back to goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. He was under pressure and being chased down by Dwight Gayle, and took the decision to use his goalkeeper.

A roar went up from the Gallowgate and questions were asked in the press box. Was it a back pass? It had been so long since anyone had needed to ask it. The fans certainly thought it was a back pass as did some journalists - this one included.

But a quick flick through the rule book showed that referee Martin Atkinson had got it right.

Law 12 states that an indirect free-kick will be awarded if the goalkeeper ‘touches the ball with his hands after it has been deliberately kicked to him by a team-mate.’

At half-time Lossl afforded his team-mate, who had waited for him at the tunnel, a cheeky smile and a raise of the eye brows which suggests perhaps he wasn’t 100 percent sure!

Coaching staff encouraging Dwight Gayle

(Image: PhotoEye.co.uk)

There’s always been questions over Dwight Gayle’s Premier League ability and despite five goals this season, the questions still remain.

Against Huddersfield, he should have had two before the half-time whistle went. First, he chipped Lossl after a superb early free-kick from Jono Shelvey but it bounced just wide and then he struck over from seven yards after superbly controlling a DeAndre Yedlin cross.

It was the same against Southampton - he should have been on the score sheet. With Islam Slimani now fit and vying for a place, Gayle will be in no doubt that he needs to start finishing these chances.

As he left the pitch at half-time he looked angry with himself. Newcastle coach Antonio Gomez Perez waited at tunnel and put an arm around the United no. 9 with Gayle shaking his head.

The Spaniard seemed to be delivering the message of not to worry about the missed chances and in a game where self-confidence is a key element, little things like that arm around the shoulder can make the difference.

Communication - Newcastle United have it in abundance

(Image: PA)

Throughout the 90 minutes, the players and coaching staff could be heard talking to one another.

Often managers can be seen to be barking orders from the touchline but there is no response from players, but not at Newcastle.

The players respond to Benitez’s touchline instructions - even just a nod of the head or a thumbs up. Islam Slimani had only been on the pitch four minutes before Benitez told him to stay up the pitch as Huddersfield had a throw in deep in Newcastle’s half. The Algerian nodded and began walking back in the other direction.

Just after the hour mark, Florian Lejeune pulled Jamaal Lascelles aside and pointed towards the left - there was a nod and a pat of the back. The Frenchman also was pointing Paul Dummett into position.

Matt Ritchie and DeAndre Yedlin were also constantly talking to each other as their partnership down the right goes from strength to strength.

This was something that Newcastle lacked in 2015-16 season but something that Benitez has now ingrained into them.

Matt Ritchie goal celebration

(Image: Newcastle United)

The winger had been taken off for Christian Atsu, who ironically turned provider as Ayoze Perez put the ball away. As the ball nestled in the back of the net, the coaching staff ran onto the pitch joined by Matt Ritchie who punched the air.

If anyone ever doubted what it meant to this group of players and staff to win - that moment showed just what it means. It was reminiscent to scenes on the last day of the Championship season when Newcastle realised they would be going up as Champions.