Jose Mourinho had nothing but praise for Rafa Benitez after yesterday’s defeat, the Newcastle manager has revealed.
Newcastle earned a famous 1-0 victory over Manchester United at St James’ Park yesterday thanks to Matt Ritchie’s second-half strike.
It saw the Toon move up to 13th in the Premier League as United fell 16 points behind table-toppers Manchester City.
Mourinho was full of praise for his opponents in his post-match interview, claiming Benitez’s players “fought like animals”.
The Portuguese was also as complimentary to old foe Benitez when the pair shook hands after the final whistle.
“He thought we had been a little bit unlucky and that we were doing well”
Asked what Mourinho said to him after the game, Benitez said: “‘Congratulations’ and ‘you did well’.
“So more or less what he said before, that the team was working so hard.
“And not necessarily that we deserved it because they had chances and he would be thinking they could have scored.
“But he had analysed the games before and thought we had been a little bit unlucky and that we were doing well.
“Against a top side, you have to do it this way and it’s good to see him praising our players, but that is the only way for us.
“I’m really proud of them because that is the way to be sure that you can stay in the Premier League.”