"?Popular Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez has praised on-loan winger Christian Atsu, after he marked his first start for the Magpies with the winning goal in his side's 1-0 away win at Rotherham United on Saturday, as per the "?Shields Gazette.
Atsu, who has recently had loan spells with Bournemouth and Malaga, has had to wait for his chance at St James's Park, as Benitez searches for a way to both balance and get the best from the most talented squad in the Championship.
41' - GOOOAAAAAAALLLL!!!! 1-0 - Christian Atsu!!! #NUFC pic.twitter.com/Sxak0AtsmA
"?"?Benitez said "It was a great goal from a player who has been doing it in training, and you are hoping he can do it in games. It was a fantastic goal. He has been training really well. He has pace and mobility, and we felt that by moving the ball to wide areas, he could go one versus one against the defenders.''
Benitez also went on to reveal the background work he did on Atsu before bringing him to the club - which is a far cry from Newcastle's scattergun policy of years gone by, which will please Magpies fans.
"We did a lot of research on him before we brought him here, and my information from Spain was really positive, really good."
0-1 - That is brilliant by Atsu! He cuts in from the right and bends a left-footed shot into the far top corner. Superb goal! #NUFC
"When I spoke to people at Chelsea, they were telling me that he's a nice lad, and from what I have seen, he is a good professional, working hard every day. We won the three points and that's what we have to do. The name of the opposition does not matter, you still have to try and win."
Newcastle are currently three points below table-toppers Huddersfield, in third place, with Norwich City - who were relegated along with the Magpies and struggling Aston Villa last season - sandwiched between the pair, in second place.
Newcastle secured a last-gasp 4-3 victory over Norwich in midweek, thanks to a hat-trick from Dwight Gayle.
Ever seen Rafa Benitez fly?
St James' Park witnessed something special tonight
Newcastle 4-3 Norwich report https://t.co/oFW6g8fokO #NUFC pic.twitter.com/hXR43KNvm3