Sissoko Eyes Successive Wins

By Tom Easterby - Newcastle United Club Reporter

After opening his account for the season in Saturday's 3-0 victory over Swansea City, Moussa Sissoko hopes Newcastle United's bid for survival can continue to pick up pace as Manchester City arrive in town on Tuesday night.

Manuel Pellegrini brings the reigning Barclays Premier League champions to St. James' Park (7.45pm kick-off) to face a United side buoyed by their weekend win over the Swans, in which stand-in skipper Sissoko bagged his team's second of the afternoon.

The French international told nufcTV that netting his first goal since the last-day victory over West Ham last season had boosted his confidence.

And the 26-year-old, who regards the Magpies' next five games as "finals", called for focus as City appear in the crosshairs.

"The second half was hard, and Swansea tried to push and score. But I think we defended well, and then I had a chance to score so I'm very happy," said Sissoko.

"It's my first goal of the season and it's good for my confidence, so I hope now we score some more goals before the end of the season. It's most important if the team win, so if I score or someone else scores, I will be happy.

"We still can do it, so we need to fight every game. It was six finals. Swansea was the first final, and we won the game. On Tuesday it will be the second final, and if we win we will be on the same points as Norwich, so that's good. We need to believe and keep going.

"A couple of weeks ago, some people said we will be relegated, but the manager said we can do it," he continued. "Now we need to believe and stay focused on our job, give everything on the pitch.

"The next game is Tuesday against Manchester City and it's going to be a tough game, but at home we can beat anyone so we need to be ready and try to give everything to win game."

Sissoko steered in from close range after Andros Townsend's corner had been nodded towards goal by Aleksandar Mitrovic, before Townsend made sure of the three points at the death.

And former Toulouse man Sissoko revealed why he celebrated his strike by running towards the home bench.

"At the training ground they always laugh about me because I have a lot of chances but I don't score so many goals, so that's why when I scored I sprinted to the bench to enjoy it all together," he explained.

"It was a good moment and I'm very happy, but now we have to be focused for the next game."

He continued: "When we saw Sunderland beat Norwich we said it was a good moment to win, so that's why we came on the pitch with a lot of energy, with heart, with everything, so that's good.

"We need to keep going like that until the end of the season. Now we have five games left, the next one is Manchester City on Tuesday, and it's going to be a tough game. But we play at home, in front of our fans we can beat everyone."

With Fabricio Coloccini still out injured and Jonjo Shelvey named among the substitutes, Sissoko was handed the captaincy at the weekend.

And while he enjoyed the responsibility bestowed on him, he reiterated that the final score gave him even greater satisfaction on Saturday.

"When you are captain, of course you are happy, but for me the most important thing was the team trying to get the three points, and we did that. That's why I'm very happy, and if I'm captain I will be more happy, but that is not very important for me - the most important thing is to win the game and then be safe at the end of the season."

You can watch the full nufcTV interview with Moussa Sissoko here