RAFAEL BENITEZ was delighted to see his Newcastle United side sign off for 2016 in style as a 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest sent them back to the top of the Championship table.

With Brighton not in action because of a fog-bound Amex Stadium, and Reading’s game with Fulham abandoned at half-time, Newcastle head into 2017 with a one-point lead at the top of the table and a nine-point gap to the play-off positions.

They return to action at Blackburn on Monday, having got back to winnings ways last night in a game that saw Forest skipper Matt Mills controversially dismissed on the hour mark for pushing the ball at Dwight Gayle after he was booked for fouling Ayoze Perez.

Gayle’s two second-half goals ultimately proved decisive, and while Benitez accepts there is still plenty of room for improvement, he is happy with his side’s position at the turn of the year.

“I am pleased with where we are because obviously it is not an easy league,” said the Magpies manager. “So to win 17 games is quite good I think. We have lost some games, but we are winning a lot of games too.

“We have a good team who are working very hard. When you have bad moments, you need that experience. We have had a lot of very good moments, and the main thing for me is to keep doing that, and to improve the little things that we can improve.”

Four weeks ago, Newcastle lost at Forest in hugely controversial circumstances as Jonjo Shelvey and Paul Dummett were dismissed for red-card offences that were eventually overturned on appeal.

Last night’s red card was equally contentious, with Mills picking up a second booking for thrusting the ball at Gayle, but while Newcastle reclaimed their lead within three minutes of Forest being reduced to ten men, Benitez did not feel the sending off was the decisive moment of the game.

“I don’t think the red card changed things too much,” he said. “I had confidence because at the beginning of the second half, we won corners and free-kicks, and were pushing for a goal. For me, we were doing the right things.

“After the sending off, it was obviously much better for us in terms of the difference to the last games. We were on top of them this time and controlling the game.

“We scored and controlled the game after (the sending off), but at the start of both halves, the team was playing with the kind of intensity you have to display if you want to win these kind of games.”

Forest boss Philippe Montanier understandably had a different view, and was furious at referee Keith Stroud’s decision to dismiss Mills.

Stroud initially missed Mills’ act of dissent, but it was spotted by fourth official Jeremy Simpson, and after a lengthy consultation on the touchline, Forest’s skipper was sent off.

“If you got a yellow card every time you pushed the ball away, you would have ten or 12 cards for that every game,” said Montanier. “The referee didn’t even see it at first.

“It was incredible, it was a wrong decision. At first, I was annoyed at my player for showing dissent, but after seeing the video I think it was very odd. The first yellow card is normal, but the second one is very tough for us.

“The referee asked the fourth official. When you know the consequences of a sending off, you have to be clear.”

With Mills off the field, Gayle was able to take his tally for the season to 19 with a superb first-time volley and a predatory close-range finish.

Alan Shearer was the last Newcastle player to score 20 goals in a season, but Gayle is on the verge of beating that tally with the campaign barely at its halfway stage.

“We said at the beginning of the season that he (Gayle) is a good player,” said Benitez, who will have Mo Diame and Christian Atsu available for Monday’s trip to Ewood Park before the pair head off for the Africa Cup of Nations.

“He works hard for the team, but at the same time he can score goals. I am really pleased for him, and for the team. He has to carry on scoring goals – that will be good for everyone.”