Joy overflows following Newcastle's first league victory

It was a brave, honest and committed performance from a team who have not shown such admirable traits for the majority of this calendar year.

That it has taken Newcastle eight games and the arrival of a newly-promoted team to St James' Park to secure a win highlights wider issues.

But manager Alan Pardew knew his team needed to beat Leicester to offer some evidence that this campaign can amount to more than just a relegation battle.

Leicester were dangerous, at times, and felt they should have taken at least a point home with them.

Matthew James and Leonardo Ulloa both missed good opportunities, while Obertan's goal came at the end of a period of sustained pressure from the visitors.

Nobody was more relieved than owner Mike Ashley, who dashed down to the home dressing room to congratulate everyone after the game.

He was also overheard talking about his intense "relief" on his way back up to the chairman's suite.

"It was a surprise," said Pardew, who revealed he had teased his employer about the damage done by the wind to a new video screen inside the ground, which caused kick-off to be delayed for an hour.

"We didn't expect to see him. He spent about 10 minutes congratulating everyone. If anyone has ever doubted his commitment you saw it there. He was as happy as any fan at the win." (© Daily Telegraph, London)