Pardew: ‘I couldn’t be prouder of my Newcastle team’

Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew expressed his pride in the performance of his side, as they breezed past Crystal Palace to close the gap on the top four.

The former Palace star received a warm welcome from the Selhurst Park crowd and his day was complete as Newcastle put on an impressive display to run out 3-0 winners.

“If someone said to me I was going to get a day as special as this - the welcome I received - I would have been surprised with the outcome, because days like that usually go against you,” Pardew said afterwards.

“We came back with a real lion’s determination to put on a great performance and I couldn’t be prouder of my team.”

In blustery conditions Newcastle coped well, and while the attacking players eventually settled the score, Pardew reserved particular praise for his defence.

“It may be the flair players that grab the headlines, but it was our warriors who were terrific today - Coloccini, Debuchy, in particular, and Tiote.

“It was the type of game that we needed to show our credentials because it was a different type of fixture. It’s what makes the Premier League great.”