Cisse: Scored the vital winner

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Newcastle 2-1 Aston Villa

New signing Papiss Cisse made himself an instant Newcastle hero as his debut goal clinched a 2-1 win over Aston Villa on Tyneside.

The Magpies managed to keep themselves going in the upper echelons of the table while leading scorer Demba Ba was with Senegal at the African Cup of Nations and Alan Pardew was delighted to welcome him and Cisse back for the visit of Villa.

Alex McLeish’s men had fought back from two goals down at home to QPR for a draw in midweek but they struggled early on again here and it came as no surprise when Ba announced his return with the opening goal on the half hour mark.

A scramble in the Villa area saw the ball eventually drop the way of the former West Ham striker, who had the simple task of firing home into the corner of the net.

The home fans were in raptures but their joy was shortlived as Ryan Taylor was forced off on a stretcher and Villa then equalised deep into added time as Charles N’Zogbia’s cutback was turned in by Robbie Keane.

However, it was Newcastle who would have the last laugh and Cisse was the joker in the pack. The £10million striker, who came on as an early replacement for injured Leon Best, had already wasted one glorious chance when he headed over, unmarked, from six yards but he made no mistake when the ball came his way on the edge of the box on 72 minutes.

Jonas Gutierrez’s cross was missed by Richard Dunne and the Senegalese debutant chested it down before rifling a rising half volley that crashed into the top corner of the net.

Villa had chances to equalise once again but they were unable to force the ball home as Newcastle held on to go level on points with Chelsea in fourth place in the Premier League as their dream season continues.