(Reuters) - Newcastle United virtually secured another season of top-flight football as Ayoze Perez's hat-trick earned them a 3-1 win over Southampton on Saturday but doubts remain over manager Rafa Benitez's future. Newcastle did break the club's transfer record to sign Paraguayan forward Miguel Almiron in January but were outspent by the majority of top-flight clubs last summer. Asked about the win over Southampton, Benitez said: "Today, we will enjoy it. Midfielder Matt Ritchie said Benitez had kept the belief in the squad, even when things looked bleak. "Of course we want (Benitez) to stay but that's down to him and the board.

Source: The Star April 20, 2019 19:30 UTC