NEWCASTLE - Newcastle manager Chris Hughton has challenged his players to win the Championship title after celebrating their promotion back to the Premier League with a 2-1 win over Sheffield United.
The Magpies' return to the top flight was assured when Nottingham Forest failed to beat Cardiff before kick offat St James' Park and Hughton's team kept the crowd of 48,270 in celebratory mood by coming from behind to win.
With promotion comfortably secured just a year after the misery of relegation, Hughton could be forgiven for resting on his laurels.
But the former Tottenham assistant manager is determined to ensure his side finish the season as champions.
That goal is attainable as they are six points ahead of second placed West Bromwich Albion with five games to play. "I must admit, I am not even thinking about next season. Right at this moment, we have five games left and our aim now is to win the Championship," Hughton said.
"The fact that we have been at the top for so long this season, it would be a real disappointment if we didn't."
The Magpies were in danger of having their party spoiled by the Blades, who took a 22nd-minute lead with Richard Cresswell's deft header which took a touch off Darius Henderson on the line.
The home side got their chance to level when Chris Morgan, having already been warned about wrestling with Andy Carroll, grappled with him in the box. Peter Lovenkrands duly dispatched the penalty and Kevin Nolan clinched it 18 minutes from time with an acrobatic finish.
