Yesterday rest and drive came to the fore. The break from football for the Newcastle team showed as they kept running and never stopped tackling until the bitter end as they secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over a limited Stoke City.
Cabaye, Tiote, Jonas, Cisse, Ba, Ben Arfa, Krul, Santon and Colocinni have proven not just in the past few games but throughout the season that they are top Premier League players who could force their way into any top three side and yesterday confirmed that further.
The gulf in class and ability between the two teams was incredibly obvious with Newcastle taking a commanding lead at half time with great goals from Cabaye and Cisse.
Cabaye further strengthened his creditentials for the Euros with a second stunner before being taken off to a standing ovation. This team are oozing confidence and ability and coupled with the draw between Chelsea and Arsenal and the rot that is seeping in at Tottenham it looks as though the only team who can stop Newcastle is Newcastle.
Wigan lie in wait knowing a win for them would almost surely cement Premier League status and they are beatable as Fulham showed yesterday.
Pardew has done something extraordinary so far this season and he has to keep this team winning all the way until the bitter end.