Papiss Cisse's confidence is 'pretty sound' says Newcastle boss Alan Pardew

Cisse celebrates scoring the third goal of the game (Getty Images)

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew insists there is no need to question Papiss Cisse's confidence after seeing the striker help fire his side to the top of Europa League Group D.

The Senegal international fired just his second goal of the season early in the second half of a 3-0 win over Bordeaux at St James' Park last night.

Cisse expertly clipped Shane Ferguson's cross from the left past goalkeeper Cedric Carrasso.

Pardew later revealed that confidence has never been an issue for the man who scored 13 goals in his first 14 Barclays Premier League games for the club.

He said: "We all worry and especially the media worry more about his confidence than he does. It's pretty sound, his confidence.

"It was a fantastic goal, by the way. The technique to swivel and score like that was of the top level."

Shola Ameobi's 16th-minute strike gave him a 13th European goal, although it was Gabriel Obertan who deserved the plaudits after setting him up with a superb run and cross.

The second goal arrived five minutes before the break when Brazilian defender Henrique could only turn Danny Simpson's cross into his own net as he desperately tried to intercept it, and the points were safe within four minutes of the second half starting when Cisse produced his fine finish.

Pardew said: "What we have to be careful of is that we have got a return match in Bordeaux and they showed in that first 30 minutes that they are a very good side.

"The second leg will worry me, I have to say, because what I saw tonight was a very good side.

"It just all fell for us tonight. The goals were at good times and it worked for us.

"But Papiss was part of a great team performance, you have to say that."

Pardew was particularly pleased with former Bordeaux winger Obertan, who answered his critics with one of his best performances for the club.

Obertan could also have a key role to play when Newcastle face another of his former teams, Manchester United, in the Premier League on Sunday.

Pardew said: "I think people's expectations of him are too high because they want to see him race past the full-back every time, and it's impossible.

"If he did, the full-back would know what he was going to do, so he has to mix his game up.

"He has to get the balance right - I thought he did tonight. he was excellent."

Bordeaux boss Francis Gillot, whose side had not lost in 17 games in all competitions dating back to April, swiftly turned his attention to Sunday's Ligue 1 trip to Brest.

He said: "At half-time, we thought the match was practically over because we were 2-0 down and we hadn't been able to put our chances away, so it is very important we rest up before the game against Brest and we stay in the top five in Ligue 1."

PA