The striker, in the side owing to Andy Carroll's absence, scored in the first half to earn Alan Pardew his first win away from St James' Park.

"When you get a chance so early on the good thing for me was I had 90 minutes to make one count and fortunately I had the opportunity to put one away," Ameobi told Sky Sports 1.

"I won't get an easier chance, but I'm delighted to get the three points for the boys and the city after a tough Christmas.

"In the first half we dominated but were only 1-0 up and you never know in this league. We didn't get a second but we defended well and we needed to start keeping clean sheets."

Kevin Nolan praised man of the match Chiek Tiote for his role in the win.

The United captain said of his fellow midfielder: "Tiote only gets better. The way he's taken to the league has been fantastic and he's been one of the buys of the season.

"On the field he's been a man mountain and he's a great signing, a great kid and hopefully he's got a great future with Newcastle."