Pardew delighted with ´fabulous´ Gutierrez

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has praised the manner in which ‘fabulous’ Argentine winger Jonas Gutierrez has bounced back.

Gutierrez, 29, produced his best performance of the season against Chelsea on Saturday, opening the scoring with a flicked header as the Magpies earned a 3-2 win.

And Pardew has credited Newcastle’s activity in the January transfer market for Gutierrez’s improvement, and believes the whole squad has been boosted by the new arrivals.

“Jonas answered a few critics – I thought he was fabulous against Chelsea,” Pardew told the Evening Chronicle.

“Everybody gets a lift when you bring new players in and I think Jonas is an example of that.

“He’s a good player, but he’s been running on empty and lacking a bit of confidence and belief because the team hasn’t been strong enough.

“It’s disappointing for players like him. Sometimes when you bring new players in its only right that you give him a chance and say, ‘Come on then, we’ve got a proper team now – come and show your true form’.

“He did that and I’m pleased for him. I’m very proud of him.”