Tiote Cheicks Back In

By Dan King - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Cheick Tiote made his return from injury as a second-half substitute in the 1-0 win over Norwich and looked like he had never been away.

The Ivorian enforcer replaced Vurnon Anita for the final 14 minutes against the Canaries and won several big challenges as the Magpies saw the game out.

It was a victory which took Newcastle up to tenth in the table but they're just one point worse off than at this stage last season, when they went on to finish fifth.

And Tiote - who hadn't played since the opening day of the season due to a knee injury - told nufc.co.uk: "It was very important because we hadn't won for three games so I think it was important today to get a good position in the league.

"It was an important game for us and I thought we did well. We won the game and that's the most important thing."

The midfielder is more accustomed to starting games rather than coming from the bench, but revealed that his instructions were no different to usual.

"The same - the same like every time," he said. "It's important to do my job so I tried to do that and I'm really happy we won the game. I got a yellow card but that's football.

"I'm okay but I'm not at 100 per cent yet. But when I stopped playing I felt perfect, I didn't feel anything, so that's a good thing for me.

"Now I want to try to play more games and try to win them. That's the most important thing for the club and the players."

Demba Ba scored the only goal of the game against the Canaries, while Papiss Cisse missed a penalty just before half-time.

And fellow African Tiote admitted: "I'm not surprised Demba scored today. The way he's playing, he looks like he will score all the time. He enjoyed that today and I'm happy for him.

"And for Papiss, it will come for him. He's still a good player, a good striker, and I hope he scores in the next game."

Click here to buy a Newcastle United shirt with Tiote's name and number on the back