The 22-year-old helped the Magpies to a 4-1 victory over Preston North End at St. James’ Park on Monday night – a result which confirmed United’s promotion from the Sky Bet Championship.
It is the second time in as many years that Hayden has won promotion from the division, having been part of the Hull City side that won last season’s play-off final.
But the former Arsenal man says going up in his first campaign on Tyneside tops anything he’s experienced in the game to date.
“I’d definitely put it up there as the best moment of my career,” Hayden told nufc.co.uk after Rafa Benitez’s side sealed their place in the top flight.
“Last year at Hull, I was on loan so I knew I might not be there at the beginning of the season after. I didn’t play as much and contribute as much and I didn’t play in the final, so it’s not the same experience.
“But when you play a game like this tonight, of this importance, you know you have to be a player to play on the big occasions, in games that matter. That’s the most important thing for me, and tonight, we dug deep.
“It’s a completely different feeling for me, because last year I was kind of on the periphery a little bit. Although I helped them in stages, I didn’t really feel part of the core group that helped the team the most. I feel this season I’ve helped the team a lot more, I’ve been a lot more involved which is pleasing for me personally.
“But I’m a team player, and the aim was to get promoted. Every single player in there has contributed, and we’ve got over the line.”
Hayden added: “It’s a major relief, just to finally get it over the line. It’s a long, long hard season in the Championship, and to do it with two games to spare is brilliant.
“To have 50,000 fans every week, cheering our names – what more can you ask for? They’ve come in their droves, home and away, and to get over the line for them – especially at home – is really nice.”
Hayden was industrious throughout, having a hand in two of the goals in the emphatic win over the Lilywhites, which sparked jubilant scenes in the stands and in the home dressing room at St. James’.
And while the England Under-21 international admitted he and his teammates must savour the moment, he also believes that “the hard work starts now” as attentions turn to the final two games of the season and the top flight return that will follow come August.
“You have to enjoy the occasion, enjoy the night and enjoy tomorrow, but then after that it’s preparing for another game – that’s the Championship for you,” said Hayden.
“It’s brilliant, it’s a great feeling, but the hard work starts now. We can say that we’re back in the Premier League, but it’s about making sure we stay there and we give a good account of ourselves when we are in the Premier League.
“Especially for me, I’ve got to improve as an individual. It’s not easy – it’s a big step up from the Championship to the Premier League, and you’re going to be playing against better players, cleverer players and physically stronger players, so it’s now about preparing my body and mind for the last two games and then the start of the Premier League.”
The Championship title is not yet out of United’s grasp, though, and Hayden reiterated his side’s desire to keep up the pressure on league leaders Brighton & Hove Albion until the campaign’s end.
“The next objective now is to try and win the league. We’ve still got two games left to play, it’s not in our hands, but if we can go to Cardiff and get three points then it does put the pressure back on Brighton and you never know – anything can happen in football,” he said.
“The most important thing was to be promoted to the Premier League. We’ve done that now, and we don’t want to dwell on it, think ‘we’ve done it’ and sack the last two games off.
“We’ve got a chance to win the title, and as long as it’s mathematically possible for us to win the title we will be focussed on doing it.”
