Sunday 21 September 2014 14:42, UK
Alan Pardew has vowed to fight on as Newcastle manager after two goals from substitute Papiss Cisse rescued a 2-2 draw at home to Hull City.
Pardew’s position looked to be under even greater threat as the Tigers powered into a 2-0 lead in the second half after stunning goals from Nikica Jelavic and Mohamed Diame.
But just as the crowd were beginning to vent their anger towards Pardew and owner Mike Ashley, Cisse reduced the deficit with a low strike inside Allan McGregor’s near post.
And the Senegal striker, making his first appearance since April after suffering a serious knee injury, levelled matters when he fired home from close range after Yoan Gouffran’s header.
I get accused of being arrogant and egotistical, but I’m also a very proud man to be manager of this football club.
Pardew, who spent the entire 90 minutes stood in his technical area, told Sky Sports: “I get accused of being arrogant and egotistical, but I’m also a very proud man to be manager of this football club.
“This is one of the best football clubs in the country and I’m going to fight to try and keep it.
“I thought it was important that I took the frustration from the fans, in terms of standing on the sidelines, and I wasn’t going to shirk away from that.
“We need to win every game we can at the moment to release some pressure, because it’s difficult to play under pressure.
“I wouldn’t have liked to have played in that game and the players showed tremendous character and were the real stars today.”
It goes to show you, with Papiss’ celebration that football can bring you together. We really wanted to do something for Jonas and the team were terrific.
Pardew picked out Cisse for particular praise, with the striker lifting his shirt to show a message of support for winger Jonas Gutierrez, who revealed this week he is battling testicular cancer.
He added: “It goes to show you, with Papiss’ celebration that football can bring you together. We really wanted to do something for Jonas and the team were terrific.
“Papiss has only trained for three days – he is a remarkable character. He really shouldn’t have played today, but luckily he did.
“Our senior players were magnificent today, and our captain Cheick Tiote drove us when we were 2-0 down – you need that experience at this level.
“I’m very proud of the way we conducted ourselves as a team and as a staff today.”
