Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew was jubilant after guiding his side to another victory which enabled the club to record their best beginning to a season in 15 years.
The undefeated Magpies won 3-1 at Stoke City, inflicting just a second Britannia Stadium defeat on the Potters in their last 14 outings at the venue, and Pardew was thrilled with the way his players came together to keep the home side's dangerous game style at bay.
Demba Ba netted a hat-trick for the victors with his final goal a questionable penalty in the 80th minute just five minutes after Stoke were awarded a debatable spot-kick (converted by Jon Walters) but nonetheless, Pardew's men moved to third and he was elated after the win.
"On a pitch like this, you are going to get a lot of balls in your box and you have to defend them and we did as a team tonight. It was tremendous spirit," he told Sky Sports 1.
"I thought both penalties (to both clubs) were a bit soft really but when it keeps going in there, its tough decisions for the referee with everybody pushing and barging. I was a little bit disappointed in the second half we didn't control the game the way we should have but the resilience of the team showed another side to us today. We don't get 22 points without different sides to our game."
As for coming to such a tough place like the Britannia, Pardew indicated that his side recorded a massive result at a tough venue against a team he rates as very good.
"Well no-one's won here. All the big teams have come here and no-one's won so it just goes to show how good they are at what they do," he added.
"They had a strong wind behind them second half which helped them but they are a very, very good side and a side that we have to beat at home because they are a top team who will finish in the top ten."
