Newcastle United captain says derby win must not overshadow need for points
Newcastle United captain Kevin Nolan says that the English Premier League club must not get carried away following their 5-1 derby win over Sunderland on Sunday, 31 October, claiming that the need to pick up more points remains.
The Magpies registered their biggest win over their fierce rivals in over 50 years, but they will have to refocus their efforts for a visit to the Emirates Stadium, where they will take on Arsenal on Sunday.
Nolan, who notched a hat-trick in the derby fixture, told the BBC that: "It's only three points, we've got to make sure we get ready now for Arsenal."
Newcastle manager Chris Hughton had seen his men lose to Arsenal in a Carling Cup tie in midweek, but the victory over Sunderland will have eased the pressure on the 51-year-old who had been the subject of reports claiming his position was under threat.
'Victory was for Hughton'
Nolan added that: "You see how much it means for the lads to do it for him, the victory was for him. It shut a few stupid people up who were writing stupid stuff about him."
Former Bolton Wanderers man Nolan has been given added responsibility since being handed the captain’s armband for this season. He was appointed as skipper following his performances in helping the club to achieve promotion from the Football League Championship
last term.
Nolan added that: "Obviously Chris is a fantastic man, but he gets his point across, and he's a good manager.
"I've worked under some good managers and he is one, I'm delighted to be working with him and delighted he appointed me captain. Hopefully I'm starting to repay him for the faith he showed in me."
Nolan has netted seven goals in nine league games this term, putting him joint-top of the EPL scoring charts with Chelsea’s Florent Malouda and Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez.
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