• Premier League

Taylor: French invasion has got Toon buzzing

ESPN staff
February 5, 2013
Steven Taylor says Newcastle's win over Chelsea got St James' Park rocking again © PA Photos
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Newcastle defender Steven Taylor believes the club have built a team "just for the fans" following the arrival of characters such as Moussa Sissoko and Yoan Gouffran.

The pair have made an instant impact on Tyneside, with Sissoko netting a brace during Saturday's 3-2 victory over Chelsea. Signed for less than £4 million, Taylor believes the committed attitude of his new team-mates is already serving the club well.

"They give it their all, and I think the fans appreciate that," Taylor told the Chronicle. "The way Yoan Gouffran chases back is unbelievable. He was so tired after the game. But that's what it's all about - doing everything for the cause.

"I think the boys did that against Chelsea. And we can do it again at Spurs. For me, it was like a breath of fresh air seeing what they're all about on the training ground.

"Even when we went 2-1 down, the winning mentality and the belief was still there. When we got back into the game at 2-2, I thought it would be a draw if I'm honest. Sissoko - the powerhouse - never gave up. He caused them problems all afternoon. It was exciting.

"It was just electric from our fans. I hadn't had that feeling in a long time in the last few minutes. You heard the roar with everyone behind us. And that kept us going. We've got players coming back from injury. I think it's a good start. We've got a winning mentality back.

"We couldn't do anything about the goals - you've just got to hold your hands up and accept them. It was a touch of class from Mata for the second. It was a painful one. We knew that with the players we've got, we just needed a bit of luck. We got that. And now hopefully it continues in the last 13 games."

With a Gallic influx that saw the club sign five French-based players in January, the Magpies have unsurprisingly seen four players named by Didier Deschamps in the France squad for Wednesday's friendly against Germany.

Mathieu Debuchy, Yohan Cabaye, and Sissoko were joined by team-mate Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa following the withdrawal of Real Madrid defender Raphael Varane with a small muscle tear.

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