By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Alan Pardew believes two moments of "magic" helped Newcastle claim a 2-1 home win over Tottenham on the opening day of the new season.

Goals from Demba Ba and Hatem Ben Arfa - either side of a Jermain Defoe leveller - were enough to earn the Magpies all three points in front of a near sell-out at the Sports Direct Arena.

And, as well as his goalscorers, Pardew was keen to pay tribute to the United faithful, who roared their team on to victory throughout and created a vociferous atmosphere.

"I can't remember the start of a season and a stadium quite as intense as that - it was brilliant," Pardew told nufcTV after the final whistle.

"When we came out it was almost like a derby against Sunderland, and that helped us.

"We didn't play well in the first half. Our passing was a little bit off and we were a bit unsure as to who was doing what job.

"But in the second half we moved Demba to the left, he did a great job of looking after (Kyle) Walker, and if you keep your strikers on the pitch then they will come up with a bit of magic. He did, and it was a great, great goal.

"Ben Arfa was the stand-out player today.

"He took people on all day and I don't care what people say about passing and keeping the ball - what fans actually love is players taking people on.

"That's what he's great at and he won us a great penalty and then dispatched it. He was the bright spark."

One blemish on the afternoon's work was an injury sustained by Shola Ameobi in the warm-up, which saw the striker replaced by Romain Amalfitano on the substitutes' bench.

And Pardew is keeping his fingers crossed that the experienced front man is fit for Thursday's trip to Greece in the Europa League.

"Shola is massive for us, so we'll have to see how he is for Thursday and Saturday," he said.

"It would be a big blow to be missing him."

To view the full interview with Pardew, click on the button below