Newcastle boss Pardew: I thought it was over before we scored

15-Mar-2013 4:50:00 AM

The Magpies' manager believed that their game against Guus Hiddink's side was heading for extra-time before Papiss Cisse scored a winner in the final moments of the second half

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew could not believe his team had won their Europa League game against Anzhi Makhachkala at St. James' Park as Papiss Cisse scored in the dying moments to hand them a 1-0 victory.

Their Russian opponents enjoyed the better of the chances during the game, but it was Newcastle's Senegalese striker that proved the difference when he headed home Sylvain Marveaux's pinpoint cross in the 94th minute.

"I've never experienced a game finish as late as that ever. John [Carver] came over and told me the game was over. I thought it was over before we scored. It was great that it was the last strike of the game," Pardew told reporters.

"Our resilience has paid massive dividends tonight.

"I thought at half-time we needed to apply more pressure. The crowd got involved in the second half and we just created enough.

"We needed to keep the ball and keep working it and I honestly thought we would run out of time."

Cisse has twice struck late on in recent days for the North East side, having scored the winner against Stoke at the weekend. Pardew was delighted with his forward's contribution at such a vital time.

He said: "It was a brilliant cross form Marveaux and Papiss does what Papiss does.

"It's a chance that he [Cisse] could have perhaps made too much movement with his head but he waited and was calm and that's what goalscorers do - they are calm in that crucial moment."

The former West Ham boss is confident of his team's chances in the competition following the victory over Guus Hiddink's side.

"Of course I think we can win it but we can't get carried away. I honestly believe we have put one of the best teams out of this competition.

"We have beaten them with a slight bit of fortune but we can go on and win it."

The 51-year-old joked with the press when questioned late on about his recently-grown beard.

"I said to my daughter if we lose it's coming off, so she was undecided what she wanted to happen. I'll have to have another word with her tonight."