Taylor: "There's No Better Feeling"

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor

Steven Taylor admits "there is no better feeling" than pulling on the famous black and white striped shirt, after making his first Newcastle United appearance since the end of August.

The centre-back, who spent four months sidelined by a hamstring injury earlier this season, returned to action on Saturday as the Magpies ran out 1-0 winners against West Bromwich Albion.

Academy graduate Taylor was outstanding at the heart of United's defence alongside captain Fabricio Coloccini as they recorded a clean sheet and three important Premier League points.

And he told nufc.co.uk: "I've got my buzz and my swagger back.

"So far, so good. I feel a million dollars.

"I was out in Qatar for a week in January doing the final stages of my rehab and that was a huge help.

"When I came back I told the head coach I was ready and hungry.

"I've had to sit patiently. I've found myself out of the team but I've got my head down, grafted and waited for my chance to come.

"Today I was back to where I want to be - playing football for Newcastle United. There is no better feeling."

Aleksandar Mitrovic's 32nd-minute strike was enough to secure the victory for Newcastle, which lifted them out of the top flight's relegation zone.

The triumph could have been a lot more comfortable, with Baggies keeper Ben Foster making a number of saves, a handful of chances being spurned and Cheick Tiote seeing a goal ruled out by an offside flag.

However, they bounced back from consecutive defeats and Taylor admitted: "We needed a reaction and we definitely provided one.

"Coming into the game, there was pressure on our shoulders because there is a lot of frustration at the moment.

"But we started off fantastically, we controlled the game with our possession, we made them run a lot, they were frightened with what we had going forward, and I thought we looked solid at the back.

"From Mitro all the through the pitch to Robbie, I thought everyone worked so hard and played their part.

"We still need to finish our chances. There were three or four that should have been put away and, if they were, it would have made things much easier for us.

"But we got the goal, controlled things and saw the game out well. We kept a clean sheet and everyone crawled off that pitch because it was a great team performance. It was a job well done."