Newcastle United forward Ayoze Perez is desperate to prove Magpies' critics wrong this season.

The Magpies were termed as favourites to get relegated this season, but they have given a strong response by winning their last two games and moving into the top half of the table.

The Spaniard said: "We had to be in the Championship and it was a tough year. Nobody feels good when you get relegated, but we have been working very hard to show that we should be playing in this league.

"We have to get the right mentality because we know the season is long and tough. We need to keep going the same way."