NEWCASTLE goalkeeper Tim Krul hopes tonight's "massive win" over Wigan can kick-start his sides season.

Demba Ba scored twice, the first from a disputed penalty which saw the Latics Maynor Figueroa sent off, before Gael Bigirimanas first senior goal rounded off a 3-0 win.

It ended a run of four straight defeat for the Magpies and Krul told Sky Sports 1: "It's a massive win for us, we knew we needed the three points. The pressure was on, but the intensity we had at Stoke, we did that again and started really well.

"We must be proud, we can take a lot of confidence from this - we needed this. I think tonight we showed what a quality team we are."

The possibly fortunate penalty award, after Figueroa tangled with Papiss Cisse, undoubtedly went a long way towards shaping the game but Krul said: "I don't think we've had many breaks this season, we've lost a lot of players to injuries and luck has not been on our side.

"It has been hard, so many injuries and losing games is a new experience for us, especially after last season, but we need to stick together."

Bigirimana announced himself to the St James' Park faithful in spectacular style with a curling, dipping left-foot drive from 20 yards and admitted he had been overwhelmed in the immediate aftermath.

He said: "Me and Papiss were planning to dance if we scored, but it was my first goal ever as a professional and I just gave thanks to God."

He added: "It's hard to come to a new club as a young player but you've got to step up - the manager bought us so he trusts us."