PARDEW SALUTES FANS

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew hopes the negativity surrounding his team has been banished by their recent upturn in form.

The Magpies continued their mini-revival as they dumped holders Manchester City out of the Capital One Cup with a shock 2-0 win in their fourth-round tie at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

Goals from teenager Rolando Aarons and substitute Moussa Sissoko produced a stunning upset for a side that had toiled throughout the opening two months of the season.

Just a month ago Pardew's future seemed in the balance after a defeat at Stoke, as the abuse aimed at him from supporters reached a ferocious level of intensity.

But owner Mike Ashley refused to bow to fans' protests and remove the manager and the team have since embarked on a four-game unbeaten run.

The last three games have been victories and the latest, against a strong City side, was thoroughly deserved and sent them through to a quarter-final against Tottenham.

Pardew now wants to maintain momentum as Liverpool visit St James' Park for another tough assignment on Saturday.

He said: "I said to them (the players) they had seen a side of our fans which can be difficult, but now they are going to see the opposite because our fans are going to be up for this cup. No-one will get up for this cup as much as our fans.

"If we can get a victory at Liverpool, the new players in the group are going to see the other side of Newcastle fans, when we really can make a difference.

"In the last couple of games the fans have been terrific. They helped us last night and they helped us at Tottenham (last Saturday)."

Newcastle were rated as 9/1 outsiders for victory before kick-off and the team line-ups did little to suggest that was misguided.

City made seven changes, but still boasted the likes of Yaya Toure, David Silva and James Milner. Newcastle's side featured Ryan Taylor returning after two years out, Aarons on his comeback from a hamstring injury, the rarely seen Mehdi Abeid and 17-year-old forward Adam Armstrong.

But Newcastle seized an early initiative when Taylor robbed Fernandinho and released pacy 18-year-old Aarons for the opener after six minutes.

City controlled possession as they sought an equaliser and they went close on numerous occasions, most notably when Fabricio Coloccini hit his own post.

But Newcastle showed resilience and, after being denied what seemed a blatant penalty when Aleksandar Koloarov clipped Gabriel Obertan, Sissoko secured the win 15 minutes from time.

Aarons, who had impressed in the opening games of the season before requiring a two-month lay-off, also hopes the result can provide a springboard.

He said: "It can lift our club, like the last win did against Tottenham. Everyone now believes that we can keep going and push us higher up the league."

Aarons had only found out earlier in the day that he would be starting and, although he was withdrawn at half-time, was pleased with his contribution.

He said: "I am buzzing. I was glad to get the goal and I'm buzzing we're through to the next round.

"It was nervy. I only just found out I was starting. I didn't know I was ready, but I think I proved to myself I was ready to get back into the swing of things.

"It was disappointing to get the injury, but for the last six weeks all I was thinking about was returning. Here, I showed how much I love playing for this club and how much it means to be.

"The goal was all instinctive. I couldn't really remember it until I saw it on the big screen. I am happy to score and happy we went through."