Newcastle sealed a consecutive home league win with a consecutive injury time winner this Saturday afternoon, this time from out of form striker Papiss Cisse. With the game seemingly destined for a 0-0 draw, the Magpies broke away and Cisse got on the end of a wonderful, chipped ball from Ben Arfa to secure all three points for Alan Pardew's men. After missing a hatful of chances during the game, including a complete mis-hit in injury time, Cisse's relief was obvious for all to see as he celebrated his goal and the match winner. However, the timing and manner of the goal was somewhat controversial given that it appeared that the three minutes of stoppage time were up when Cisse found the net. Immediately prior to the goal there was also an appeal for a handball from the Palace bench as Williamson struggled to control the ball in his own box. This wasn't lost on Tony Pulis and in his post press conference the Eagles boss stated:
It's disappointing for us today. I thought we did very well up until an hour and I thought we'd see it out. I think it was 3:40 (into injury time) when they scored their goal...the game should have finished before. The fourth official said that the 3 minutes were up when we thought Williamson handled the ball.
John Carver, facing the media in place of the banned Alan Pardew, was also asked about the circumstances surrounding his side's goal but the Newcastle number two was understandably less concerned about what had happened:
I haven't thought about it because I'm still celebrating our win in my head. The referee didn't blow for it at the time, that's all that matters.
Carver was keener to discuss the contribution of goalscorer Cisse and highlighted the Senegalese striker's effort and commitment to the team:
Papiss isn't going missing...he's not lacking in confidence, he's lacking in luck. I think he got maybe a bit of luck today. He is a confidence type player and hopefully he can go on a little bit of a run now. We've got eight games left, if he goes on a run now he can have a good season.
Newcastle fans will also be hoping that Cisse can add to today's goal and rediscover the kind of form that he displayed in his debut season. With the games coming thick and fast (Everton are at St James' in three days time) the Magpies are relying on Cisse to continue finding the back of the net in Remy's absence. In contrast Palace are now on a five game winless run and the cruel nature of today's defeat will no doubt linger as they make the long trip home. Pulis must pick his team for their home game against Chelsea next weekend, no easy task given the confidence currently flowing through Mourinho's men.
