RAFAEL BENITEZ has urged his Newcastle United players to show the same cup final mentality at Aston Villa next weekend after giving themselves a boost in the battle to stay in the Premier League.

The Magpies extended their unbeaten run to four matches with a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace at St James’ Park courtesy of a thunderbolt of a free-kick from Andros Townsend just before the hour.

Townsend’s brilliance from the dead ball was followed by a dramatic penalty save from third choice goalkeeper Karl Darlow to deny former Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye an equaliser.

The victory lifted Newcastle above Sunderland and out of the relegation zone, although Norwich City do play Arsenal in the evening kick-off at the Emirates and that could see Newcastle drop back in.

Newcastle now travel to Aston Villa next Saturday before finishing the season with a home date against Tottenham.

Benitez said: “It is important for us, it is still not enough because we have to keep going. We have to approach Aston Villa like another final. We have to make sure the next game we are ready.

“For us it is really important because we won against Swansea, then we did well in difficult games against Manchester City and Liverpool and now this … “The players are working hard for each other and that is key. The fans are supporting the team and that is the key. We have an away game next which will be key before the Tottenham game.”

Darlow, only playing because of injuries to Tim Krul and Rob Elliot, had his name chanted by supporters after an impressive display of goalkeeping was capped by his penalty stop from Cabaye.

Benitez said: “It was not just about the penalty with Karl, when it was in the air he punched the ball or he caught the ball. He gave the confidence to the defence in front of him.

“You can say always when a keeper saves a penalty he is a hero, but you can say the same thing about Andros. He did really well too.”

Former Newcastle boss Alan Pardew sent in his number two Keith Millen to discuss the match afterwards.

In an earlier post-match interview, however, he responded to Sam Allardyce’s claims that Palace’s players would be ‘on the pop’ after reaching a cup final by suggesting the Sunderland boss’ comments were old fashioned.

Pardew said: “He hasn't got a case. Just send him the video. They're pre-historic comments. I don't know what era he's in. Three or four of my players don't drink. Perhaps he meant Coca-Cola. It's nonsense."