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Little Vurnon's Big Performance
Written by Newcastle Utd
Vurnon Anita spoke to nufc.co.uk after a big performance from both himself and his United teammates
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor
Vurnon Anita believes the standard was set in Sunday's crucial victory over West Ham - both for himself and his Newcastle United teammates.
Second-half strikes from Moussa Sissoko and Jonas Gutierrez ensured that the Magpies will be dining at the top flight table again next season, as they record a victory for the first time in 11 attempts.
Anita was arguably United's standout player at St. James' Park, dictating proceedings from the middle of the park, and the former Ajax man is determined to carry that forward into the 2015/16 campaign.
"There was a lot of pressure on us for this game but we coped with it with all the support behind us. We were on fire," he told nufc.co.uk.
"Everyone believed we could do it and we went out there and proved it. Everybody fought for each other, ran for each other and played good football.
"We didn't think about what was happening anywhere else - we were just focussed on doing the job on our own, and that's what we went out and did.
"You saw what it meant to the players with both celebrations. It was joy and relief that we had stayed in the Premier League.
"What is important now is that we learn lessons from this season and this game. The standard has to be like this all the time now. If we do that, we will never be in this situation again."
Just before Gutierrez struck Newcastle's second of a memorable afternoon on Tyneside, Anita had raced clear one-on-one, only to fluff his lines at the crucial moment.
"I was so mad at myself!" he continued.
"I'm not used to being in those situations. I just ran and ran and ran, and saw Papiss and Moussa to the side of me.
"I should have faked the goalie and gone by myself but it didn't matter because straight away Jonas scored his goal, and everyone was so happy for him.
"But apart from that moment, overall I think it was my best performance for Newcastle.
"I felt like I was everywhere on the pitch, I tried to be dominant and I wanted the ball all the time.
"I fought for the team, and I need to keep at this level of performance and keep believing that I can be an important player for this team."