RAFAEL BENITEZ hailed Newcastle United’s impressive home record after the Magpies took a huge step towards Premier League safety with a 1-0 win over Huddersfield Town.

Ayoze Perez’s second-half winner lifted the Magpies seven points clear of the relegation zone – effectively eight given their impressive goal difference – and delivered a third home win a row.

Newcastle could barely buy a home win in the first half of the season, but they are unbeaten at St James’ Park in 2018, with this afternoon’s win having followed recent successes against Manchester United and Southampton.

Benitez has regularly talked of trying to turn his side’s home ground into a ‘fortress’ – finally it seems as though his efforts are coming to fruition.

“We have won three in a row at home, and that is good,” said the Newcastle boss. “It means we are stronger mentally and we understand much better that these kind of games you have to approach in this way.

“Maybe in the past we would go in with anxiety, maybe we would go in too high and you’d be exposed on the counter-attack and maybe you could lose the game. But I think now we know how important every single point is.

“Some games, like Manchester United, was great for the confidence of the team. Southampton, scoring an early goal, was even better. The fans were behind the team and today was the same.

“Today was a question of staying calm and keep creating chances and just score if you could. The relationship between fans and players is now really good. They play here with this confidence. You can win, draw or lose, but at least you know the team is enjoying it and have the belief that we can win here.”

Despite dominating for long periods, Newcastle had to wait until the 80th minute before they were able to make a breakthrough.

Perez had been waiting for an opportunity in front of goal, and the Spaniard displayed impressive composure as he stroked home Kenedy’s cross.

“I was talking with Ayo at half-time and told him to stay calm,” said Benitez. “I said, ‘You are trying to be involved in too many things, stay in your position, move around there, and if you have one chance, take it’.

“He did well because when the other team is compact, narrow and short, you have to stay calm because you will not be involved too much in the game. It’s just about doing the right movements at the right time.”

The win has lifted Newcastle to 12th in the table, and opened up a seven-point gap to Southampton, who currently fill the third of the relegation positions.

Having moved on to the 35-point mark, the Magpies are within touching distance of safety, with basement boys West Brom still to visit St James’ next month.

“Forty points is the target, so we have to carry on,” said Benitez. “We are happy, but we have to carry on.

“The main thing for us is to be sure that we approach each game the same. It is one game at a time. We can win another game and, okay, we will be closer and then we can start thinking about other things, but still we have to play too many games against very difficult teams.”