Newcastle United's bid to avoid an instant return to the Championship was massively boosted over the weekend thanks to their 3-0 win against Southampton and with other results going for them, and Magpies fans are loving one statistic in particular.

The Toon's comprehensive win against fellow strugglers Saints and Crystal Palace, West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and West Ham United all losing, and Huddersfield and Swansea City drawing with each other, saw them jump up to 13th in the standings and five points clear of the relegation zone.

Stoke's 2-0 defeat against Manchester City on Monday night saw their goal difference drop to minus 28 (the worst in the Premier League), while only the top eight teams in the standings have a better record than the Tyneide outfit's minus 10 – which could be worth an extra point in the coming weeks – and the St James' Park faithful can't get enough of manager Rafa Benitez right now.

Newcastle supporters have been quick to have their say on goal difference via social media, and while one said "our GD could be worth an extra point come May", another said "Rafa's so-called negative tactics could be crucial".

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

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