Pardew delight at Cisse winner
Alan Pardew took the time to salute Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse following the Toon Army’s dramatic late win against Stoke, despite also stating that the Senegal international had an awful game.
The Telegraph reports that Pardew was up front when asked about Cisse’s contribution to the win. The former Southampton boss said: “Papiss, I think, would be the first to tell you he was awful today. He didn't do anything, really, to influence other than doing well on some defensive issues for us.
“But then the moment comes. It's an eye-of-the-needle pass from Marveaux, which he has [in his game]. The ball pops up and most strikers would snatch at that.
"But he let it come all the way down and finished it and in the 92nd minute, that's not easy to do, trust me.”
The Magpies found themselves behind with just 23 minutes to spare, but Cisse’s 92nd minute winner after Yohan Cabaye had levelled the scores sent a cloud of relief through the North East.
The win means Newcastle now sit nine points above the relegation zone, and helped somewhat ease the tension at St. James’ Park. They are now level on points with 10th placed Fulham, but currently sit 13th on goal difference.
They were struggling earlier this season, but a slew of signings in the January transfer window appears to have rejuvenated the club’s ailing campaign.
Pardew brought in no less than five French players from both the senior international squad and U-21 levels, and since reshaping his squad the 51-year-old has watched his squad steadily climb the Premier League table.
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