Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has thrown down the gauntlet after Sunday's defeat to Sunderland.

While Sunderland are still behind Newcastle in the table, Pardew wants to make sure that his side are streets ahead of their rivals next season.

A defiant Pardew told the Evening Chronicle: "Next year we have to prove that we're a bigger and better club.

"That's in terms of our Premier League position by finishing well above them. That's what we are going to try to do next year.

"But first we've got to make sure we play well in the last five games with good, solid performances."