Benitez aims thinly-veiled dig at Newcastle owner

Joe Williams
Rafa Benitez Newcastle

Rafa Benitez thinks West Ham’s summer signings made the difference as Newcastle United lost 3-0 at home in the Premier League on Saturday.

A Javier Hernandez brace and another goal from Felipe Anderson late on wrapped the points up for Manuel Pellegrini’s men.

The Magpies made a profit in the summer transfer market with Mike Ashley widely criticised by fans over the lack of spending at the club.

And Benitez admits the club are working on signings for January but it’s a “question of money”.

“It is very clear today again. Take your chances and don’t make mistakes. Even after the first goal we had chances. They have spent the money on offensive players and they made the difference. When you are more open they have pace and can make the difference.

“We are working on (signings in January) that but it is a question of money. What they spend, what we spend, you can see that on the pitch. I cannot complain of the effort of the players or the commitment but again today we had chances, but they scored theirs.

“We cannot put our heads down. It is a battle. We will show the same character as we do in every game.”