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Prolific Papiss Pounces At Palace
Written by Newcastle Utd
Papiss Cisse spoke to nufc.co.uk after scoring his tenth goal of the season at Crystal Palace on Wednesday
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
Papiss Cisse reached double figures for the season at Crystal Palace on Wednesday, and the striker believes Newcastle's 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park was a good point.
The Magpies' leading scorer headed home Daryl Janmaat's superb run and cross just before half-time to give United the lead, only to see his effort cancelled out by Fraizer Campbell midway through the second period.
It was a rare moment of quality in a disjointed game, and Cisse revealed the pressure was on to take the opportunity and he knew clear-cut chances would be few and far between.
"It was a good point, yes, because the game was hard," the 29-year-old told nufc.co.uk.
"We scored the first goal and tried to keep the lead but it was very difficult and they were a good team.
"We had to work very hard and that wasn't easy because we only played three days before this game.
"We wanted three points but this point is one made by the team - it was a real group effort.
"I knew this game would be very tight and that I might only get one chance, so I told myself when it came to me I had to be ready to score, and this happened.
"Daryl did really well. I had been told before the game to come to the near post every time and his cross was very good.
"It was not easy to do what he did - to run all the way and deliver a cross like that - but he made it look easy."
Cisse's ten goals this term have come from just 16 appearances - a prolific strike rate that is up there with the best in the business.
And, like all good front men, the former SC Freiburg star is unconcerned how he scores, just as long as the ball ends up in the back of the net.
"I'm happy with ten goals so far," he continued.
"Every time I go on the pitch I try to score and I always believe that I can score goals for my team.
"I don't care about a nice goal, a far out goal, a header, a tap-in - a goal is a goal and they all help the team. As long as the ball goes in, I am happy.
"I have ten now and this one helped the team take a point from a very tough game."