The Magpies welcome mid-table Barnsley to St. James’ Park knowing that victory will be enough to snatch the crown from the Seagulls’ grasp, providing Chris Hughton’s charges fail to win at Aston Villa.
Brighton looked on course to end the season at the top after opening up a seven-point lead last month, only for back-to-back defeats – the latest at home to struggling Bristol City – to leave the door ajar for United once more.
Although pleased to be in with a fighting chance come Sunday, Benitez does not believe his side should be judged on whether or not they finish first, adamant that the campaign’s primary aim has already been achieved.
“Promotion was the objective at the beginning of the season. Before our last game (at Cardiff City), we wanted to break the record for away wins (in a single season), and have a chance to fight for the title. That is the situation today, so we are really pleased with that. But, what I am trying to say to everyone during the week, is that we are really pleased to be promoted – that is the main thing,” he said.
“When we were getting closer, everybody was a little bit more nervous, and there is a little bit of relief that we have already achieved what we wanted. I think that the way to go into the game is with smiles on our faces, and hopefully after the game, we will have bigger smiles – that is the way.”
Promoted from League One a year ago, Paul Heckingbottom’s Barnsley have enjoyed a comfortable first season back in the Championship, though they have recorded just one win in their last ten outings.
Benitez admitted that he regarded the Tykes’ visit as a “dangerous fixture” coming into the season’s run-in, and is relieved that the Magpies’ fate has already been sealed.
“They are a good team, especially playing on the counter-attack. They are a team we were watching carefully. Before, when you were analysing the fixtures that you have to play in April and May, you say, ‘This is a dangerous game.’ Now, because we are already promoted, it is different, and we can approach the game just thinking about trying to play well,” he said.
“We have to have confidence in ourselves. We have to have the belief we can win, and the fans have to have the same feeling. If we play at our level, we can win, but at the same time – as I say – it is not a game where if we do not win it is the end of the world. It will be a smile, or a bigger smile – that is the approach for the game.”
