Black Stars winger Christian Atsu found the back of the net as his Newcastle side secured promotion to the English Premier League by thumping Preston North End 4-1. With the score locked at 1-1,Atsu scored on the cusp of half-time to give his side a 2-1 lead when Newcastle caught Preston on the counter attack and Aleksander Mitrovic squared for Atsu to slot past the goal keeper. The win ensures Newcastle will secure one of two automatic qualification slots to the premier league with four games to spare.
Led by former Real Madrid, Liverpool, Valencia ,Chelsea, Napoli and Inter Milan manager Rafael Benitez, Newcastle had on their books one of the most experienced managers in Europe. Benitez, a Champions League winner with Liverpool in 2OO5 as well as Europa League titles with Valencia in 2004 and Chelsea in 2013 secured promotion at the first time of asking following Newcastle’s relegation to the premier league last season.
It remains to be seen though whether Christian Atsu will play a part in Newcastle’s premier league campaign next season as he is on loan from Chelsea.