In a recent poll, 84% of French supporters believed the defeat in Ukraine was too big a mountain to climb but Yohan Cabaye and Mathieu Debuchy dominated to help send France to Brazil next year.

The question that may prey on Newcastle supporters’ minds would be; is this a good thing for our club?

Predictably the scenes were something to behold as the crowd celebrated what had looked an unlikely qualification for Brazil.

I’m guessing that back on Tyneside Alan Pardew also raised his glass in relief as a happy French party will be arriving back for training this week.

Trying to overturn a two goal deficit, both Cabaye and his best mate Mathieu Debuchy start the match, with Loic Remy and Moussa Sissoko having to settle for a place on the bench.

L’Equipe has claimed that they understand Didier Deschamps is going back to a more tried and trusted formula for this must win game (by at least 2 goals) rematch tonight.

On the other hand a buoyant French core of our team could do wonders for the mood of those in black and white.

Here is hoping for the right result.

Yohan Cabaye; “Have we hit the jackpot? I don’t know, we will see on November 19th.”