Papiss Cisse makes goals pledge as NUFC miss out on Champions League
GOALDEN TOUCH ... Papiss Demba Cisse.
PAPISS Demba Cisse has vowed to again be among the goals for Newcastle United next season – at home and abroad.
The club’s season ended in defeat at Goodison Park yesterday.
And Alan Pardew’s side, beaten 3-1 by Everton, ended the camapign fifth in the Premier League.
Newcastle had gone into the game harbouring a slim hope of a Champions League spot, but wins for Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur meant even a victory would not have been enough.
However, Pardew’s players – who exceeded all pre-season expecations - have a Europa League campaign to look forward to next term.
And January-signing Cisse is relishing his first full campaign on Tyneside.
“It’s good to be in Europe next season, but I’m sorry for the supporters, as we wanted to give them Champions League football,” Cisse told SportMail. “That was our objective. We are in the Europa League, and I thank God for the season I have had.
“I’m looking forward to playing in the Europa League.
“We wanted to play in the Champions League, but it’s an important competition for me and the team. We can be very happy with what we have achieved this season.”
Cisse, the club’s No9, has been a revelation for United since his £9million move from Freiburg.
And Pardew is braced for summer interest in Cisse – who ended the season with 13 Premier League goals to his name – and his Senegalese countryman Demba Ba.
Cisse, a boyhood Real Madrid fan, was recently quoted by French newspaper L’Equipe saying it was his dream to play for “the biggest clubs in Europe”.
However, Newcastle last week issued a statement saying the 26-year-old was “completely committed” to the club.
And for his part, Cisse is looking forward to returning to Tyneside after his summer international commitments with Senegal and picking up where he left off.
“I hope to continue scoring goals for Newcastle next season,” added Cisse, who left Goodison Park frustrated he hadn’t added to his goal tally.
Cisse had a chance early in the second half at Goodison Park with United trailing to Steven Pienaar and Nikica Jelavic’s first-half goals.
However, he put his shot wide and John Heitinga extended Everton’s lead.
Tony Hibbert put the ball in his own net late in the game but it was too little, too late for the Toon.
“It was a difficult game,” said Cisse. “We wanted to beat Everton, and finish as high as we could, and we’re disappointed to lose this match.
“It was one of those days for me.
“I had a chance early in the second half, but I didn’t score and now the season is finished.”
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Weather for Peterlee
Wednesday 22 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 3 C to 11 C
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