I try to give my best every game says Newcastle United’s captain marvel

WE DID IT: Newcastle's Moussa Sissoko celebrates his goal with manager Alan Pardew

Stand-in captain Sissoko’s goal gave Alan Pardew’s side a 1-0 win over QPR at St James’s Park on Saturday.

Sissoko, Newcastle’s stand-out player over the past five weeks, took the armband in the enforced absence of skipper Fabricio Coloccini and vice-captains Siem de Jong and Cheik Tiote.

The midfielder’s moment of quality in the 79th minute decided a game which looked destined to end in a draw.

“The game was hard – every game in England is hard – but at the moment the team is playing very well,” Sissoko told SportMail.

“We scored in the last 20 minutes, which is good for us.

“It’s fantastic for the team, for the city and for everyone.

“We work very hard every day. That’s why we are playing well at the moment, but the season is long. It’s not finished.

“We have to try to concentrate every week and move forward.”

Pardew only told Sissoko that he would captain the side on the day of the game.

“The manager told me just before the game that I would be captain, I was very happy,” said the 25-year-old.

“I don’t change my game. I try to give my best every game. If I’m captain, it’s good for me, but if I’m not, I’m not angry.

“I try to give my best every game.”

The club’s upturn in fortunes is even more remarkable given the spate of injuries to key personnel, with Newcastle’s injured list in double figures.

“We have a big squad, so if we miss somebody, someone else will try to give their best for the team,” said Sissoko.

“We need to continue like this and try to win every game.

“I try to give my experience for the young players.”