Wednesday 26 August 2015 14:44, UK
Florian Thauvin’s match-winning performance for Newcastle United in the Capital One Cup has been praised by his French team-mate Massadio Haidara.
The £13m winger scored from Haidara's third-minute cross, and was involved in the next three goals in Tuesday's 4-1 second round victory over Northampton at St James' Park.
"He did very well for the first game at home," Haidara told nufcTV. "He made three assists and scored a goal, so it is already very good for him.
"He is a good player. We know it's difficult to play for a new team, but he did well and everybody is happy for him."
Thauvin completed his move to Newcastle from Marseille last Wednesday, and came on as a substitute in Saturday's 0-0 Barclays Premier League draw at Manchester United.
One of Thauvin's first priorities is to learn English. Haidara said: "I know it's difficult when you don't speak English, like me in my first weeks and first month here. It was very difficult for me because I didn't speak English, so me and the other French guys will try to help him.
"He speaks a little bit of English, but when he needs help, we can help him."
It was the first win of head coach Steve McClaren's reign, but he faces a bigger challenge when Premier League rivals Arsenal head for St James' Park on Saturday.
Haidara said: "Arsenal on Saturday will be a different game, but we have to take confidence because we got a good result last Saturday and last night, we won the game, so we have to go into Saturday with good confidence, be focused on the job you have to do and work for another good result."
The Magpies' reward for beating Northampton is another home tie next month in the third round with Sheffield Wednesday from the Sky Bet Championship.
