Pardew's first game in front of the Magpies faithful was a heated affair with many fans still disgruntled with the surprise dismissal of Chris Hughton.

But Pardew's new charges banished any fears over their unity with a determined performance against the Reds.

"It was very, very important, whoever the manager was, that they represented themselves and the club in the right manner, and they did that and more," said Pardew.

"But the win was really about the players because they showed their spirit and their unity out there and they made it easy for me just to add a couple of things."

Andy Carroll's 10th goal of the season cemented victory for the Magpies after Joey Barton's 80th-minute strike had restored their lead. Skipper Kevin Nolan had fired the Magpies ahead on 15 minutes while Dirk Kuyt levelled on 50 minutes.

West Ham manager Avram Grant has set his sights on winning two of the next three games after slumping to a 3-1 loss at home to Manchester City.

The result saw the Hammers fall four points from safety at the foot of the Barclays Premier League, but Grant is eyeing at least six points from upcoming games with Blackburn, Fulham and Everton in order to turn the tide.

"The boys are trying, that is what is important to us," said the Israeli.

"While we are not in the middle of the season there is time to turn it, but we do not like where we are.

"I don't know how many points we will need, but we can win two out of the next three games."

City dominated from kick-off at Upton Park and it was no surprise when Yaya Toure rifled in the opener on the half hour. The Ivory Coast midfielder then saw his angled shot hit the post and go in off keeper Robert Green with substitute Adam Johnson wrapping things up with nine minutes left.

James Tomkins headed in a late consolation for the Hammers.

Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier hailed the response of his players after their 2-1 victory at home to West Brom.

Houllier had come under pressure after a poor run which culminated in a 3-0 loss at Liverpool last week, but the Frenchman was much happier with Saturday's display.

"The defeat at Liverpool hurt us, more with the way it happened," he said.

"We needed to sort out a few things. We were a bit shaky at times which is normal when you are having a bad run.

"But I was pleased with the attitude of the players. When you go through a bad patch, you need to keep cool and more focused on a few things."

Villa ended a sequence of three league defeats thanks to goals from Stewart Downing and Emile Heskey, while Albion replied through Paul Scharner.

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway spoke of his pride after his side secured their sixth league win of the season. DJ Campbell's third goal for the club in the 48th minute was enough to secure a 1-0 victory against Stoke at the Britannia Stadium.

"To come to a place that is so hard to win at, it was a fantastic display. We rode our luck, our keeper was exceptional. This is as good as we have been," Holloway said.

Everton manager David Moyes admits his side's current form is a worry after they were held to a goalless draw at home to Wigan.

"The crowd know we have been here before in a similar situation but I think the worrying thing is we are not beating teams at Goodison who, over the years, we have done," he said.

Fulham's home game with Sunderland also ended goalless, and Black Cats boss Steve Bruce was unimpressed with what he saw.

"It was agony," he said.

"From start to finish and for both sides it was one of those games when we might have gone Christmas shopping."