Cisse already a Newcastle hero (From The Northern Echo)

Cisse already a Newcastle hero

10:16pm Sunday 5th February 2012 in Newcastle United News By Steph Clark

IT can take some players months, if not years to make a real impact at a new club, but for Papiss Cisse it took less than 90 minutes to become an instant hero on Tyneside.

Cisse only took part in his first training session with Newcastle on Thursday, but by Sunday night, the 26-year-old had done something even the likes of Alan Shearer and Andy Carroll hadn't done when he scored on his debut for the club.

And to make it that extra bit special, the Senegalese striker's stunning 70th minute finish proved to be the winner as Newcastle beat Aston Villa 2-1 at St James' Park.

Having completed his £9m move from German side SC Freiburg over a fortnight ago, Tyneside had to wait to see their new number nine, who immediately flew out to the African Cup of Nations hours after clinching his move to the Premier League.

But having witnessed a truly special debut performance, that wait was made all the more worth it when he chested down Jonas Gutierrez's cross before rifling a stunning left-footed shot into Shay Given's top left corner.

It was as if both sides had been given a script to follow prior to the game and once Cisse had made an earlier than anticipated appearance when he replaced the injured Leon Best after 14 minutes, everything just fell into place.

Cisse's fellow countryman Demba Ba made a perfect return to Alan Pardew's starting line-up when he put the Magpies ahead on the half-hour mark and despite Robbie Keane's equaliser on the stroke of half time, Villa were unable to spoil the party at St James' Park.

Perhaps even more important though, is that yesterday's win saw Newcastle move back up to fifth in the Premier League table with Pardew's side surpassing the 40-point mark after just 24 games.

Until Chelsea's draw with Manchester United later in the day, Newcastle were level on points with Andre Villas-Boas' side in fourth place and if they can maintain their form this season, Pardew's side are genuine contenders to finish in a European place.

Despite all the pre-match excitement focused on the return of Ba and the arrival of Cisse, it was actually Villa that started the brighter.

Former Magpies winger Charles N'Zogbia blazed a shot high and wide, but Darren Bent should have given the visitors a 13th minute lead.

Robbie Keane played a defence-splitting ball through to his strike partner, but the former Sunderland man saw his shot saved by Tim Krul.

The St James' Park crowd didn't have to wait long to see their new number nine and having replaced Best, who limped off after a challenge with Richard Dunne, Cisse did not have to wait long for his first chance.

Danny Simpson cut the ball back to Ryan Taylor and the midfielder swung an inviting cross towards Cisse, but his header was collected by Shay Given.

Krul was called into action once again when Dunne played Bent in, but for the second time the Magpies keeper was on hand to deny the striker from a similar position.

Despite their slow start, the Magpies looked a different proposition with Ba and Cisse in attack and on the half-hour mark, the returning striker scored his 16th goal of the season.

The ball fell to Ryan Taylor in the box and after his shot was blocked by Stephen Warnock, Ba was on hand to finish from close range.

Despite losing Taylor, who was injured in the run-up, the goal spurred Newcastle on and despite Villa's early domination, Pardew's men began to get a foothold on the game.

Cisse's movement continued to cause Dunne and Cuellar problems and he almost had the chance to double Newcastle's lead when both Villa's centre-halves missed a Guthrie cross and fell to the striker, but he couldn't quite make a connection.

Davide Santon went close for the Magpies with a shot from the edge of the area after a surging run forward, while Ba saw his looping header go just over the bar.

Referee Mark Halsey added six minutes on because of the stoppage for Taylor's injury and despite dominating since going ahead, the Magpies lost their focus and their lead.

N'Zogbia found space on the left and sent the ball across the goalmouth to Keane, who equalised from close range on 49 minutes.

With Ba already on the score- sheet and both sides searching for a winner, the script was written for Cisse to win it for the Magpies and midway through the second half he almost did.

Guthrie surged into the box and chipped the ball into the middle to an unmarked Cisse, but his glancing header went inches over the bar.

Moments later though, the script was followed and the Gallowgate was sent into raptures when Cisse chested down Gutierrez's cross and rifled a stunning strike past Given into the top left corner.

All eyes were on the Magpies' Senegalese strike duo, but at the opposite end of the pitch Krul was just as impressive.

The Dutch stopper did well to punch Ciaran Clark's stinging long-range effort, before making a brilliant reaction save to deny Gary Gardner's close range header and preserve his side's lead.