RAFAEL BENITEZ was delighted to send more than 5,500 Newcastle United fans home happy as Dwight Gayle’s decisive double sent the Magpies to the top of the Championship table for the first time this season.

Gayle’s double strike, which took his tally for the season to 11 goals in 11 games, secured a 2-0 win at Barnsley, and with Norwich City throwing away a two-goal lead as they drew 2-2 with Fulham, Newcastle are a point clear in top spot ahead of Saturday’s home game with Ipswich Town.

Both of Gayle’s goals were scored immediately in front of the massed travelling support, with 5,501 visiting supporters packing out the North Stand at Oakwell.

Chants of “We are top of the league” could be heard throughout the second half, but having guided his side to the head of affairs, Benitez admits the next challenge is to ensure they stay there.

“Obviously, to get to the top of the table is really good,” said the Newcastle boss. “It’s especially nice to do it when you are playing away, then the fans are able to go back enjoying themselves.

“I am really pleased for them, but before the game I was saying it is a long race, and it is still a very long competition. That has not changed, it is still a very long race.”

Nevertheless, Newcastle have brushed off the disappointment of losing to Fulham and Huddersfield in their opening two games of the season to win nine of their subsequent 11 matches.

Gayle’s form has been a major factor in that run, with last night’s goals making it seven successes in the striker’s last four outings.

His opener at the start of the second half showcased his predatory qualities, as he stabbed home from close range after Isaac Hayden prodded Matt Ritchie’s corner into the six-yard box. His second was a much slicker strike, as he raced clear of the Barnsley defence before lofting a first-time finish past goalkeeper Adam Davies.

Last weekend’s brace against Brentford followed a hat-trick against Norwich at the end of last month, with the Championship’s leading goalscorer having more than justified the £10m outlay that enabled Newcastle to prise him from Crystal Palace.

“We knew that he could score goals,” said Benitez. “We were impressed at the beginning because he was working very hard in the training sessions. When someone has his quality in front of goal, and is also working hard, it is a good combination.

“It is not easy to have both things at the same time. I think he is enjoying himself and he is doing very well.

“As soon as we knew that Andros Townsend was leaving, Ritchie and Gayle were our priorities. We tried to sign them and knew they would make us fine in these positions.

“We were very happy to get them, and very pleased as soon as we watched Gayle train. We knew what he was capable of, and he has always trained very well.”

Last night’s game was reminiscent of Newcastle’s previous away game at Rotherham, when they were also forced to dig deep against obdurate opponents before eventually coming out on top.

Similar displays have earned maximum points at Bristol City and Derby this season, and having been a soft touch on their travels throughout last term, the Magpies have developed a much stiffer backbone in the last few months.

“It was a very professional performance,” said Benitez. “It was difficult, against a good team. We knew that they could push and press with intensity and physicality, and when they could, they played.

“We knew it could be like this. We had to work hard in the first half, and then when we scored the goal in the second half, it was more open and we had more chances.

“A lot of people talked about the Championship and said it would be a very difficult and physical competition. We knew what was coming, and we knew we would have a lot of games like this. If we can win matches like this, they are the games that can make a difference.”