Sunday 19 October 2014 08:58, UK
Alan Pardew admitted he was relieved to finally see his side earn three points after a 1-0 win over Leicester at St James' Park.
After kick-off was delayed due to a unsafe giant screen, the already disgruntled Magpies fans took their seats even more discontent with the club, so victory was vital to avoid a potential supporter backlash.
And Gabriel Obertan delivered the goal that gave the Toon Army some much needed cheer, and secured Pardew a crucial victory.
"It was a really important win for the football club," Pardew told Sky Sports.
"We have worked really hard without getting our rewards, but today we did.
"They ran us really close at the end, but I am proud of my players at the end.
"We stuck at it, kept creating chances, and I am especially glad it was Gabriel Obertan who scored, as he is a player that needs confidence."
Pardew also insisted that there is plenty of work still to be done with the Magpies still languishing in the Premier League's bottom three, and is fully aware of the task at hand.
"There was no corner to be turned really," Pardew added. "We need to win more games, and today was about grinding it out.
"It is important that we take a step forward now, the job is not done and we need to get ourselves out of a position that we shouldn’t be in."
Obertan could not hide his delight at netting his first Newcastle goal for two years, and hopes his strike can be a catalyst for the Magpies to kick-on from.
"I have been waiting for a long time for that," Obertan said.
"I am very pleased for everybody, it has been a tough start to the season for us.
"It may be a turning point for us, as we needed that win for the confidence and now we are heading in the right direction."
