When it emerged that Papiss Cisse was out injured, Alan Pardew could quite easily have chosen to play Yoan Gouffran up front alone, with someone else filling in out wide for the Frenchman, but in choosing to give Ayoze Perez his first start, he made an inspired and brave move that will benefit both the club and the player in the long run. Not only will Perez have gained a massive confidence boost, he will also look like more of an option to stand in (or at least be first under-study to a new striker) when Cisse heads off to Africa in January (if Senegal qualify as expected). He's shown flashes of brilliance so far, but now that he has a goal - and in testing circumstances - he will be a completely different prospect. And then of course there's the half-time substitutions that put Cabella and Sammy Ameobi on - both hugely attack minded moves, considering it meant sacrificing a defensive midfielder and seeking pressure rather than just possession (a move that had failed in the first-half). The fact that both men were instrumental in both goals proves that bravery can pay dividends, and for a manager who has been too safe and too reserved in his selections and system this season, that should prove a huge revelation. What else should Alan Pardew learn from the win against Spurs? Share your thoughts below in the comments thread.
