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Williamson - We can compete

Image: Mike Williamson: Adamant Newcastle are still enough to challenge the top teams

Newcastle defender Mike Williamson remains adamant the Magpies can compete with the best in England despite suffering an emphatic loss.

Defender insists Magpies are still up with the best despite defeat

Newcastle defender Mike Williamson remains adamant the Magpies can compete with the best in England despite suffering an emphatic loss at Tottenham. The sixth-placed side travelled to White Hart Lane in Saturday's late kick-off but failed to capitalise on opportunities which had opened for them as they were crushed 5-0. Chelsea had lost to Everton earlier in the day meaning that victory at Spurs could have elevated Newcastle into fourth but the defeat leaves them trailing Arsenal by just one point. However, centre-back Williamson insists that the loss will not overshadow the Magpies' achievements so far this campaign and the 28-year-old maintains confidence his side are still good enough to challenge at the top of the Premier League.

Disaster

"A poor performance at Tottenham doesn't hide the fact we've done well this season and we're still in the mix with teams who have been Champions League regulars over recent seasons," he told the Evening Chronicle. "The first half, indeed the first 20 minutes, were a disaster for us, you just can't do that against quality teams like Tottenham and we paid the ultimate penalty. "We got it together a bit more in the second half, which pleased us - but of course it was far too late." Papiss Cisse and Demba Ba cut somewhat isolated figures at the head of Newcastle's line with little service being given to the Senegalese frontmen but Williamson expects his side regain their form as they host Wolves next time out.
Credit
"We didn't give Demba or Papiss much to feed off, just scraps really, and that didn't help us either," he added. "Credit to Tottenham though, they're a top side and deserve to be where they are in the league. "Our sole aim is to bounce back against Wolves as we have got ourselves into a great position in the league and want to keep pushing on." The Magpies face Wolves on February 25 with the visitors having sacked manager Mick McCarthy on Monday following a 5-1 defeat against West Bromwich Albion in the Black Country derby.

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