Matt Ritchie’s strike in the second half secured a vital victory for Newcastle, who are now two points clear of the relegation
zone.
United, meanwhile, are 16 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City after the loss at St James’ Park.
After the match, Mourinho publicly praised Newcastle’s resilient display, claiming that his opponents ‘fought like animals’.
And Benitez has revealed that Mourinho also had some kind words for him on the touchline in the immediate aftermath of the
defeat.
Asked what Mourinho said to him after the full-time whistle, Benitez said:
‘”Congratulations” and “you did well”, so more or less what he said before, that the team was working so hard and not necessarily that we deserved it because they had chances and he would be thinking they could have scored.
‘But he had analysed the games before and thought we had been a little bit unlucky and that we were doing well.