Source: Northern_Echo
Hughton not ready to celebrate just yet
CHRIS HUGHTON attempted to put the lid on celebrations after Newcastle United took an enormous step towards returning to the Premier League last night. Hughton has no plans to take any champagne to Peterborough on Saturday despite second half goals from Shola Ameobi and Jose Enrique extending the gap between the Magpies and third-placed Nottingham Forest to 13 points. Moments after last night's triumph Forest boss Billy Davies chose to wish Newcastle all the very best in the Premier League because they have been worthy winners of the Championship. But Newcastle manager Hughton insists completing the job they are on the verge of achieving is all that in his thoughts for now. If another win arrives at London Road and Forest lose at Bristol City, Newcastle will have secured a return to the top-flight at the first attempt. This was a very big game at this stage against good opposition, said Hughton. We are so close and it has opened up a bigger lead for us. The nature of our business is that you have to enjoy the wins. It will be a nice day tomorrow at the training ground, everyone will have a spring in their step. But we have to get back down to earth quickly and we have to make sure we prepare for an away day on Saturday. It's about bringing them down to earth ahead of a busy weekend. Promotion is that close, we are where we are and we deserve to be there. If it happens on Saturday then no-one will be more delighted than me. Hughton danced a jig of delight on the touchline when Ameobi struck the opener 19 minutes from time. The celebration showed what a big game it was for us. You do have emotions and it was a big night at St James'. The crowd were fantastic, said Hughton, who may have to wait until Sheffield United travel to Tyneside next Monday to see his charges secure promotion. Ameobi was making his first appearance since early February but he finished expertly, drilling low into goalkeeper Lee Camp's bottom corner. Despite only playing 14 times this season, it was his ninth goal of the campaign before Enrique got in on the act to deliver his first goal in professional football. Ameobi said: It was a big game for us in terms of promotion, we know we didn't want to give them any hold to try to get back at us and that was a massive game and massive win for us. We have to keep on winning games, we are not safe yet, it is great to come back with a goal and help the team to three points. We knew it would be hard, we had to play at our best and we did. And Enrique said: It is special to score my first goal of my career. I didn't know what to do after the goal but this is for my wife and I am happy because we got three points and we have won the game.