Sissoko: First Permier League win can kick-start Newcastle’s season

Alan Pardew and his team-mates got off the mark at the eighth time of asking at the weekend.

A goal from Gabriel Obertan gave Newcastle a 1-0 win at St James’s Park, but the victory wasn’t enough to lift the club out of the relegation zone.

United remain 18th ahead of Sunday’s fixture against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.

But Sissoko says he and his team-mates have drawn strength from the result ahead of a tough run of league and cup games.

“It was a fantastic result for the team,” Sissoko told the Gazette.

“We work hard every day, and we have been unlucky.

“But it was a great result. We won our first game of the season, and I hope now we start a good season for the team.

“This win is good. The next three games will be very hard - we play against big teams.

“We play against Tottenham, Man City and Liverpool.

“We have some confidence, and I hope we play well and get the three points in the next game.”

The relief among the players, who have publicly backed under-pressure manager Pardew, was evident in the celebration of Obertan’s second-half goal.

Obertan - who ran half the length of the pitch to score - was embraced by his all colleagues.

“We play for that,” said midfielder Sissoko. “When we win, every player is happy - and the fans and the manager.

“Everybody is happy. We will savour this game together, and afterwards work for the next game.”

Sissoko’s French countryman Obertan was an unlikely hero, having seemingly been set for a move away from St James’s Park a few short months ago after a year on the fringes at the club.

“Gabby is a fantastic player,” said Sissoko.

“He played very well and scored, so we are happy for him.

“I hope, for him, he will continue to work hard and help the team.”