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Rafa Benitez has got Newcastle bouncing... he was the antidote for a poisonous atmosphere and is already planning for a Premier League return

There is no finer sight in a football stadium than that of a crowd bouncing and singing in unison, grown men and their children vacating the concrete below and grazing shins on the plastic in front to jump and rejoice together.

At St James' Park on Tuesday night, in the wake of a 6-0 victory over Preston in the EFL Cup, the Gallowgate End did just that.

On the pitch below, Aleksandar Mitrovic - the two-goal cult hero they were serenading - joined in. It was a brilliant scene.

Manager Rafa Benitez is mobbed during last week's Newcastle United Foundation eventu00a0
Manager Rafa Benitez is mobbed during last week's Newcastle United Foundation event
Benitez and captain Jamaal Lascelles pose for a photo with a fans during the Kickz event
Benitez and captain Jamaal Lascelles pose for a photo with a fans during the Kickz event

The point is this - it wasn't supposed to be like this at Newcastle United, the club who were relegated for the second time in seven years last season.