Rafael Benitez hails Newcastle's history makers - but says they can still get better

The Magpies ran riot at Loftus Road as they moved to within a point of the top of the Championship table and delivered a performance that underlined why they are such strong favourites to make an instant return to the top-flight.

Jonjo Shelvey scored twice as he delivered a midfield masterclass, with Ayoze Perez, Ciaran Clark, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Grant Hanley also finding the target as Newcastle scored six goals in an away league game for the first time since a 6-0 win at Walsall in 1962.

Newcastle also hit the crossbar twice and had a first-half effort controversially disallowed for offside such was the extent of their dominance, and while Benitez is understandably determined to ensure his players keep their feet on the ground, the Magpies manager has now overseen six successive victories in all competitions. Just as impressively, it is 495 minutes since Newcastle last conceded a goal.

“We have to make sure we enjoy this, but then after we have to concentrate on the next one,” said Benitez, who claims he has already turned his attentions to Saturday’s home game with Wolves. “The main thing for us was to get the three points, but as soon as the game was nearly won, we needed to carry on and keep doing well.

“We also got the clean sheet, and that was important for the defenders. But the main thing was to get the three points and leave the fans happy for the next few days.

“I said before that we have to be sure we are concentrating for every game, and now I will say the same. It doesn't matter if you score six goals, you get three points in the end. This is a very difficult competition, so we have to carry on and not lose the concentration.”

Be that as it may, it was impossible not to be hugely impressed with Newcastle’s performance as they ran in six goals against a QPR side who started the night on the edge of the play-off places.

Shelvey and Matt Ritchie ran the game from midfield, with recalled attacking duo Mitrovic and Perez running riot as they pulled QPR’s defenders all over the pitch.

The result was QPR’s heaviest home league defeat in their 92-year existence, and with Dwight Gayle and Daryl Murphy not even getting onto the pitch, Newcastle boast an attacking arsenal that must be the envy of every other side in the Championship.

“I am very happy with the strikers,” said Benitez. “It was a difficult decision for me because Gayle is doing really well and Murphy was also doing well. To leave somebody out of the squad and play Mitro instead of Gayle or Ayoze is difficult.

“I am really pleased that we have a good squad and everybody worked hard in the training sessions to be in the team. It's early, and we don't have many injuries, but we will have problems and suspensions. Everybody has to make sure they are fit for us for the rest of the season.”

Newcastle’s players could hardly contain their delight as they celebrated in front of more than 3,000 away fans at the final whistle, but Benitez is adamant they will only get better as the season continues.

“Maybe it's not the right thing to say, but we can improve,” he said. “The team has done well, and everybody was pushing and working very hard, but as always we made some mistakes.

“You have to make sure you control all the games in a way where you have chances and they don't have any.”

QPR boss Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink was left shell-shocked at the final whistle, but claimed Newcastle’s spending power meant his side were not playing on a level playing field.

The Magpies signed 12 players in the summer, although the sale of the likes of Moussa Sissoko, Georginio Wijnaldum and Andros Townsend meant they still recorded a profit of more than £30m.

“Newcastle have Mitrovic, who has cost millions, Shelvey who cost £12, Ritchie who cost £10m – shall I go on,” said Hasselbaink. “Newcastle are a great team with great players, and they looked a proper team.

“It went totally wrong for us, and very well for Newcastle. It was easy for them to get the ball behind us.”