Hughton and Benitez hope Albion and Newcastle can lock horns in Premier League

Chris Hughton and Rafa Benitez are hoping they can both lock horns again in the Premier League next season.
Rafa Benitez and Chris Hughton. Pictures by PW Sporting PhotographyRafa Benitez and Chris Hughton. Pictures by PW Sporting Photography
Rafa Benitez and Chris Hughton. Pictures by PW Sporting Photography

Newcastle retook top spot in the Championship on Tuesday night with a dramatic late 2-1 victory at the Amex.

It saw Brighton & Hove Albion drop to second in the table, two points behind The Magpies.

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But it was a thrilling game, from the atmosphere to the entertainment and one that could easily be seen on the biggest stage of them all next season if both sides can clinch promotion.

Hughton admitted he’d love to take on his former side again in the top division and said: “Most know the fondness I have for Newcastle, they are a wonderful side with a great squad. I think it’s testament to our players that we have stayed so close with them for so much of the season.

“We will need to do that again. Certainly the closer we are to Newcastle, then the more chance we will have going up.”

But the Albion boss knows just how tough the Championship run in will be, adding: “At this moment there are very good sides at the top of this division and very good sides that don’t look like losing too many games.

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“Huddersfield at this moment are on a very tremendous run, so I think there could be (twists and turns), but whenever you look at the fixture list on a Saturday, they are tough games for everybody.

“When Bristol can go to Newcastle and get a draw, then it shows what this division is all about.”

When asked if this game would grace the Premier League, Benitez said: “I think Chris and I would both sign for sure that we’d like this game to be in the Premier League.”