RAFAEL BENITEZ believes Newcastle United players have reconnected with the club’s supporters with just enough time to boost the fight for Premier League survival after claiming a point against Manchester City.

A rare goal from Vurnon Anita, his third for the club and first since March 2014, cancelled out Sergio Aguero’s dubious 14th minute opener when he clearly headed in from an offside position.

The point has put Newcastle within two points of fourth from bottom Norwich City ahead of Saturday’s trip to Liverpool. If Benitez can oversee a win on his return to Anfield they will climb above Sunderland, who face Arsenal the following day, and the Canaries.

The Newcastle boss, knowing his side could have beaten a below par City, is convinced this latest result coupled with last Saturday’s victory over Swansea City has got everyone believing the relegation battle can be won.

Benitez said: “We have to win every single game even though my connection with Liverpool is really good. We are doing really well. A game always against a good team like Liverpool will be tough but hopefully we will see the same reaction.

“We have to believe we can fight and beat anyone. We have had two games in a row where we have had a great performance of the team and a great connection with the fans. To see the team and fans together again, believing and fighting is the main thing.

“The players are playing with passion and great commitment. Everyone is pleased and hopefully we will continue in the same way in the remaining games.”

Newcastle had every right to be frustrated that assistant referee Dave Bryan did not spot Aguero standing beyond the Newcastle defence when Aleksandar Kolarov floated over the free-kick in the build up to the opener.

But Benitez – who was also aware of less clear claims the Argentine was tripped in the area by Chancel Mbemba in the second half when no penalty was given - did not want to dwell on that.

He said: “They tell me the goal was offside but the reaction of the team was so good. To see them with this belief, this fight, you have to be optimistic for the rest of the games.

“I was pleased with the reaction. Hopefully we will not have bad decisions in the next games. You have to try on the pitch and they tried.

“That incident could have got us fighting. Had they scored before that then maybe the fans would have felt it could be another bad game.

“But every single tackle we had the fans with us, that is really important, not just for this game. Everyone will say everything was positive, we want the fans to keep pushing and that will be crucial if we want to stay up.”

Manchester City had won the last 12 games in a row against Newcastle but Anita’s brilliant leveller prevented another. Had Georginio Wijnaldum not been denied by Joe Hart in the closing stages Newcastle would actually have won.

Benitez added: “I am very pleased, had Gini scored t at the end I would have been even more pleased. I felt the reaction of players, they were fighting and they had commitment. I felt the relationship with the fans - everything today. It’s just a pity we didn’t get a second goal.

“When you play against a team like Manchester City, everyone knew about the record we had against them, everyone expected the worse against them.

“It could be better but could it be worse, you are playing a team in the Champions League and towards the top of the Premier League. They have fantastic players.

“Before the game I wanted three points, after the goal I see the reaction and think one point would be fine. After the Wijnaldum chance we could have won so I am disappointed.”

Aguero scored his 100th Premier League goal in just 147 appearances; only former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer (124) has reached the century mark in less outings.

But the City striker’s big night didn’t end in a win and his manager, Manuel Pellegrini, had no complaints.

He said: “I am happy for Sergio because it is not easy for him to score that many in the games he has. I hope he will continue in the same way until the end of the season.

“We knew it would be a tough game because Newcastle are fighting not to be relegated. We didn’t deserve to win, so it was a draw. It is more difficult against the teams who are playing with all of their life not to be relegated.”