Alan Pardew; “We managed to stick in and scored a brilliant goal on the break; Sissoko has signalled his entrance! I saw him 14 months ago and said I’d be delighted if we could get him, he’s fantastic”.

Sissoko..Sissoko…Sissoko….Sissoko…..Sissoko……Sissoko…….Sissoko……..Sissoko………Sissoko!

Looking at the visitors’ recent results there is every reason for Newcastle to have a right go at them today. Respect yes, fear them – no.As an added bonus, the blues come up north with a manager in Benitez who is about as popular as Geordie Danny Graham is down in mackem land.

Before Sissoko left, they asked the player to pick out the highlights of his time at TFC (Toulouse Football Club). Sissoko picked out some of his best goals and watch out for some quality finishing, especially the power free-kick!

Didier Deschamps has just named his latest squad to play Germany on February 6. Yohan Cabaye leads the Newcastle contingent as he is included alongside Mathieu Debuchy and Moussa Sissoko, with no place for Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa.

Alan Pardew; “I don’t think we’d have won the game if we hadn’t signed Sissoko, that’s how important a signing he was. I thought he was magnificent and he’ll be a superb player for Newcastle”.

Graham Carr “We are going to try and get close to the Arsenal route but you have to be realistic. They had Vieira, Henry and Petit, some of the best players in the world. At Newcastle that is not the case…yet”.

Alan Pardew “Sissoko was magnificent in the first half, he’s going to be a powerful player in the Premier League. I have always had my eye on him and that was a nice little aperitif*** he showed tonight”.

Half an hour on the clock and the ball drops to Cabaye just outside the box, a vicious swerving right foot volley and we’re two up…what can go wrong?

Olivier Bernard; “At the moment people see Cabaye as the benchmark of the French talent because he is so popular, loved by everyone and only bought for something between three to five million, today he is worth nearer fifteen!”.