Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse has declared this his late winner against Stoke City yesterday was his most important goal for the club to date.

Cisse slammed home from close range in stoppage time to help Newcastle record a 2-1 victory over Stoke City.

Alan Pardew's side had trailed with 20 minutes to go but hit back through Yohan Cabaye before Cisse completed a crucial turnaround during the three added minutes.

The Senegalese striker thinks that his goal held extra significance because it got Newcastle a victory they both deserved and desperately needed to climb away from the relegation zone.

He told the club's official website: "It was three really important points for us. I scored the last goal in the last minute and the whole team is happy. We kept going, we never gave up and the goal finally came. It doesn't always but today it did.

"It was the most important goal for me because it was so important for the team, moving us up the table. Today we have climbed a few places and we are now near the middle, rather than bottom.

"We deserved it. We weren't at our best but we deserved to win. The gaffer told me I was rubbish today. Yes, I was rubbish but we won so that is the most important thing. In the last week I have been ill and even today I didn't feel too strong, but hopefully by next week I will be back to normal."

The Magpies moved to 13th with the victory over Stoke and are now nine points clear of the drop zone.