Newcastle eager to settle score against Tottenham

Magpies buoyed by arrival of January transfer signings

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is hoping a little “je ne sais quoi” will help his team gain revenge on Tottenham as they attempt to ease further clear of trouble.

The Magpies head for White Hart Lane on Saturday having given their Barclays Premier League survival hopes a significant boost with back-to-back victories over Aston Villa and, in spectacular style, Chelsea with new boys Mathieu Debuchy, Yoan Gouffran and match-winner Moussa Sissoko having added a little Gallic flair to the mix.

They will do so determined not only to collect another three precious points, but also to make amends for a 5-0 thumping in the corresponding fixture last season.

Pardew said: "Tottenham is a difficult one, but we are going to go there with renewed vigour - we have some 'je ne sais quoi' in the team - and hopefully get something there.

"Last year when we were flying, it was a real disappointment for us that day. We were well beaten, so we need to put that right."

Victory over Chelsea edged the Magpies six points clear of the drop zone, but, perhaps more importantly, helped to re-establish a measure of confidence in a squad which has been painfully short of that particular commodity in recent months.

In addition, it presented the Toon Army with a potential new hero as Sissoko turned in an energetic individual display capped with the two goals which first pegged the Blues back and then condemned them to defeat.

The former Toulouse midfielder was one of five Frenchmen to join the club during last month's transfer window in the wake of Demba Ba's departure for Chelsea, and Pardew was thrilled to see him take up the baton so quickly.

He said: "You lose great players - you lose Andy Cole, you lose Alan Shearer, Gary Speed, people like that.

"They come through the door, you love them and unfortunately for whatever reason, money or the end of their career, they drift away.

"But new stars emerge. Demba was one for us - he has gone away now and Sissoko has announced his arrival.

"He won't get as much time and space perhaps as he got on Saturday because teams are going to be wary of him, but he enjoyed himself. It was a brilliant performance."

PA