Andros Townsend says his winner for Newcastle United owes much to being frozen out at Tottenham!

Townsend has spoken of his superb free-kick in Newcastle United's victory over Crystal Palace.

He was frozen out of the Tottenham first team prior to his arrival on Tyneside, but admitted that he used to practise free-kicks regularly while with the North London club's Under-21s.

He told the Evening Chronicle: “It's a funny story. When I was thrown into the Under-21s by Spurs, I used to stay, me and one other player.

“We used to stay for hours just practising free-kicks, left foot and right, until the fitness coaches came out and told us to save our legs.

“All that stuff pays off when you score in front of 52,000 people to help your team get three points."