Premier League: Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew praises fans

Under-fire Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has thanked the club’s travelling supporters for focusing on the team and not him in Wednesday night’s Capital One Cup victory at Crystal Palace.

Newcastle fans staged protests over Pardew's reign during Saturday’s 2-2 Premier League draw with Hull City at St James’ Park, where Papiss Cisse scored twice to salvage a draw and ease some of the pressure on Pardew.

United went on to claim a 3-2 extra-time victory at Selhurst Park, with Paul Dummett heading home the winner after Mehdi Abeid had been sent off, to leave former Palace player Pardew delighted with the response of the Newcastle fans.

"It's always lovely to come back, I thought our fans were terrific, they made a conscious effort to support the team,” he said.

"They didn't focus on my position too much, and I thank them for that."

Pardew was also impressed with the performance of Adam Armstrong, who sent over the cross that led to Dummett heading home the winner.

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The Newcastle boss believes the 17-year-old forward can match the achievements of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jonjo Shelvey and Mark Noble, players Pardew worked with early in their careers.

"He's a player that excites us as a football club, I know England think highly of him," Pardew said of Armstrong.

"I've given debuts to a few good 17-year-olds, Noble, Shelvey, Oxlade-Chamberlain in terms of potential.

"Obviously those guys have fulfilled that and that's what he's got to do now.

"He showed a few moments that whetted the appetite and he's got to move on from this."

Watch Newcastle’s next game - away to Stoke - on Monday Night Football. Coverage begins at 7pm on Sky Sports 1 HD.