Newcastle United are currently five points clear at the top of the Championship.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez
Speaking to BBC Sport, Trevor Sinclair has heaped praise on Newcastle United, saying they look like a Premier League team.
The Magpies were relegated to the Championship at the end of last season after a dismal campaign.
However, they have quickly found their feet in the second tier of English football and after Sunday’s win over Leeds United are five points clear at the top of the table.
That 2-0 win over Garry Monk’s team was their eighth successive victory, a run which has many backing them to secure an instant return to the top-flight this season.
One who is impressed by them is Sinclair, who heaped praise on the Magpies to BBC Sport’s Radio 5 Live.
“The build-up play and the way Rafa Benitez has got them playing is absolutely superb,” he said.
“You talk about levels. Newcastle look like a Premier League team, playing against a Championship side.”
“That’s not me digging out Leeds because I think they have looked solid, but I think this Newcastle team could give any team in the Premier League a good game. That’s how well they are playing.”
Newcastle United’s Dwight Gayle celebrates scoring their first goal
The task for Newcastle United now is to ensure they earn promotion back to the Premier League by the end of the campaign.
They have certainly been impressive so far and their performances have fully justified their lofty position in the league.
Rafa Benitez will know that the Championship campaign is a long and arduous one, though, and it will take all of his skill to ensure his Magpies stay on track to seal their return to the top flight without any major hiccups.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez shakes hands with Matt Ritchie after the game
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