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Newcastle United number 9 Papiss Cisse says that Alan Pardew has banished the Magpies from playing long balls.

Cisse was delighted to see Pardew encouraging a neater style of play from United after a frustrating first half in Burnley on Tuesday night.

Newcastle bounced back from a goal down to play their way back into contention after a back-heel from Yoan Gouffran allowed Cisse to smash home an equaliser.

Cisse revealed: “We just kept kicking the ball long in the first half and made things very difficult for ourselves. But the gaffer changed things at half-time and that helped us get back in the game.

“At half-time the manager said that we had to keep the ball and play - play all the time, at every chance.

“We knew we would get back in the game by playing football rather than kicking it long, and when we did that we scored straightaway.”

Cisse saw his odds on being top scorer shorten after his fifth goal of the season against the Clarets. He is now 66/1 to be the Prem’s top marksman.

He said: “I’m happy so far with five goals. I always try to do my best for the team, and if my goals can help us get a point or three points then I am doing my job on the pitch.”

Meanwhile Mehdi Abeid feels that Newcastle can now embark on another winning run.

He was back in the team at Burnley after a toe injury ruled him out for the previous two weeks.

Abeid said: “It was important to get a result here and not to lose. We need to get back to winning ways

“We were a bit unlucky with the draw. We could do better but there were some positive things in the game.

“We played some good football and done great. We have to keep going that way and get better each game.”

United take on Chelsea in what is likely to be another sell out at St James’ Park on Saturday (12.45pm).