Newcastle United will officially be playing Premier League football next season.When the full-time whistle brought an end to Cardiff City 0-2 Liverpool, it confirmed that the Magpies would spend their third consecutive campaign in the top flight.Newcastle have experienced some decent form in recent months, so survival will come as no real surprise to supporters but their early season results were certainly alarming.The club should be applauded for showing so much faith in manager Rafael Benitez when they took 11 games and almost three months to secure their first league victory.However, their impressive form at St. James' Park proved vital in their fight against the drop as well as the fact Huddersfield Town and Fulham became cut adrift over winter.

Newcastle survive the drop

There is still questions being raised about the future of Benitez and the Spaniard - who has previously managed Real Madrid and Liverpool - is remaining coy on the issue.

Benitez hasn't exactly set the world alight with his current team in the north-east, but when you considering how poorly he's been backed in the transfer market, it's difficult to fault him.

And if any criticisms are going to be levelled against the 59-year-old, it can't be for consistency because Newcastle fans are starting to get a feeling of deja vu.

Identical record to last season

That's because, remarkably, the Toon have an absolutely identical Premier League record to the one they had at this stage last season.

When we say identical, we mean identical. Newcastle have produced the same number of wins, draws, losses, goals conceded, goals scored and - of course - points.

The only difference is that 41 points was enough to secure them tenth place last season, but can only elevate them to 13th this time around. Take a look at the full breakdown here:

All part of Benitez's masterplan, clearly.

Perhaps the uncanny statistics are because Benitez has been given so little to spend and he is limited to producing incredibly similar seasons with the resources he has.

Another mid-table finish will probably please the rapacious Mike Ashley, but it's becoming clear that Benitez has more ambition and wants Newcastle to push for European football.

Speaking after the win over Southampton, he remarked: “Our level has to be between seventh and 10th in the table. 

"We have to compete with these teams in the transfer window, in the wage bill and everything. We need to find a balance.

“I am the manager until 30 June. We can see the potential. When you see the teams between seventh and 15th, we have to compete with them.”

Do you think Benitez should move on from Newcastle? Have your say in the comments section below.