Alan Pardew pleased with Papiss Cisse despite frustrating night for Newcastle

Magpies drew 0-0 with Metalist Kharkiv after goals were ruled out

Newcastle striker Papiss Cisse in action against Metalist Kharkiv (GETTY IMAGES)

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has ordered Papiss Cisse to take out his frustration on Metalist Kharkiv next week after being denied a Europa League double.

The Magpies could have been heading for Ukraine with a healthy 2-0 advantage had offside flags not ruled out Cisse strikes either side of half-time in last night's 0-0 first leg draw at St James' Park.

Replays suggested the first decision was wrong and the second contentious, and Pardew is hoping that Cisse, who also failed to make the most of several other opportunities which fell his way, will make Metalist pay on their own pitch.

He said: "He hasn't seen the replays yet and I think that will just hinder his sleep somewhat.

"But he looks sharp and he keeps getting in there. The last three or four games, he has had more chances than he has had all season.

"With all strikers, they feel a lot better when they score. When he looks back and sees those two goals, he will be disappointed.

"But it will just put fire in his belly, hopefully, for the return leg or the game against Southampton, wherever he plays."

Cisse thought he had put Newcastle in front with 23 minutes gone when he turned home Moussa Sissoko's pass, only for a flag to halt his celebrations.

But he and his team-mates had keeper Tim Krul to thank for preserving their clean sheet six minutes later after the Holland international clawed away Cleiton Xavier's close-range header.

Metalist, who had not played a competitive game since December 6, gave as good as they got before the break, but as Newcastle made their big push, they came under increasing pressure.

They were rescued by the officials for a second time with 16 minutes remaining when Cisse turned home Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa's cross only to be denied once again, and he could scarcely believe his eyes when keeper Olexandr Goryainov managed to repel his injury-time header.

Pardew said: "I thought we gave up one clear chance, really, which Tim snuffed out, the header in the first half.

"We were sound. They caught us a couple of times on the break with numbers, but defensively, I thought we were strong tonight.

"I don't think my team could have played much better and I thought we should have won the game.

"Both goals were goals, when you see the replays, you can see that.

"The first one, I have to say, I was a little bit undecided from where I stood, but the second one I thought was a definite goal, so that was tough to take because in these games, those margins are the difference.

"The benefit on those lines is for the striker, that's the rule, and both decisions were level."

PA